Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are a few similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws on norwalk motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

The nationals of countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must make sure they have required documentation to avoid paying additional taxes. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by a number of people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be accompanied by it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

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

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import vehicles that do not comply with these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state, however, there are some commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and other equipment. This includes motor sports-related requirements.

If you are importing an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or temporarily raced.

In order to qualify for this, you will be required to possess an CAMS license and prove your previous motorsport participation and a real need for the vehicle. You must also comply with a range of other requirements to be compliant, such as the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not allow you to import a race car into the US unless the car is race-ready at the time entry and doesn't contain any features that make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You will need to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have ratified the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their documents or less and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as the base. Additionally spare parts that are shipped with the imported automobile are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the vehicle must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting property or people and that is driven by power other than muscular force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from disabilities; (b) farm type tractor Vimeo.com utilized in the operation of a farming operation or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The brunswick motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove that they purchased a vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that is acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or business. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police or firefighters, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of the county of more than 1 million residents.