Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are some similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you can find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

The nationals of the countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars 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 nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal vehicles must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual Each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and-white photocopy of their current driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

To be legally titled an import vehicle, it must comply with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular, DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix a label on each such vehicle that states that it meets these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a car that does not meet the standards, they must to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws that govern charleston motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles vary from state to another, but there are some similarities across the country when it comes to registering vehicles and obtaining an official driving license. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are also enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

The first step in importing race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is required for cars that will be permanently imported or temporarily entered into racing.

You'll require a CAMS licence and to prove that you have competed in motorsports and have a real desire for a car. You must also satisfy a variety of other requirements for compliance, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on streets and highways. You will need to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

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

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty, 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax of 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston using their book value as a base. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts shipped with the vehicle imported. The owner of the vehicle must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device that is capable of moving property or persons and is powered by a source other than muscular force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that meets the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The huntingburg motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle division of the state governs dealers of second-hand and new vehicles as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove they bought a vehicle that was defective.

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