Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

Nationals of countries who have signed the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal vehicles should have them documented to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading the certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by several individuals, 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 may be used to sign all paperwork.

In order for an imported vehicle to be legally entitled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand, in particular, that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years must conform to the safety and bumper requirements and that each vehicle be labeled by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import a car that does not meet the requirements, they will need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern hartselle motor Vehicle accident law firm vehicles vary from state to another, however there are universalities across the country when it comes to registering a vehicle and obtaining an official driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, as well as several motor sport related regulations.

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

To be eligible for this program, you'll need to have an CAMS license as well as prove your previous motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the car. You also need to comply with other requirements for compliance such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not permit you to import a race car into the US unless it is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't have any features which make it unsafe or not suitable for use on roads and highways. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year, or the validity of their documents. However, they have to present EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of pistons using their book value as their base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts shipped with the vehicle imported. The presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines a "atlanta motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting persons or property and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who suffers from disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in the operation or farming business, as well as implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The definition can differ among states, and vehicles that do not qualify for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove they bought a vehicle or truck.

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