Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ according to state, there are some commonalities across the country regarding titling registration, fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their vehicles to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses or license plates. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their cars must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by several people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card must be included with it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

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

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that is not in compliance with the standards, they'll need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern mount arlington motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles vary from state to another, but there are commonalities across the nation in the process of registering an automobile and getting the required driving license. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

If you intend to import an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

In order to qualify to be eligible, you'll be required to possess a CAMS license and proof of your previous motorsport participation and a genuine need for the vehicle. You will also have to satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on streets and highways. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and submit an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year, or the validity of their documents. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and HS-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and 10% VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax which ranges from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. The presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property and is driven by power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person with an impairment, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or operation and also implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The definition could differ slightly between states, and vehicles that are not eligible for exemption are subject to licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they bought a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

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