Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses or license plates. Written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certificate of origin, and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition all documents related to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several people each signature must be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be included with it. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

In order for an imported vehicle to be legally registered in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Vimeo Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require specifically that motor vehicles not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every automobile be branded by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these requirements and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles are different from one state to the next, but there are a few commonalities across the country in the process of registering a vehicle and obtaining an official driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are also enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, as well as a number of motor sport related requirements.

If you are planning to import cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing.

In order to qualify for this, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license and proof of your previous motorsport participation and a real need for the car. Additionally, you must meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or unpractical for use on roads and highways. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles for Touring

Motorists visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or shorter without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. However, they have to present EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and 10% VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate that ranges from 15% to 100% based on piston displacement. In addition spare parts included along with the vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "eastman motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle" as every device that is capable of moving property or persons and is propelled by power other than muscular force (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming business or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or rails and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that qualifies under the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other kinnelon motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle-related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove they bought the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is utilized to carry out the transport role of an agency or activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. Additionally the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of the county of more than 1 million residents.