Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ according to state, there are certain commonalities across the nation regarding titling registration fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents wishing to import their own vehicles must ensure they have all required documentation to avoid paying additional taxes. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally, all documents pertaining 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 copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally entitled, an imported vehicle must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles less than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each such automobile affix a label on each such vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that isn't in compliance with standards, they'll need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to another, however there are some similarities across the country when it comes to the registration of the vehicle and getting an official driving license. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and other equipment, which includes a number of indianola motor vehicle Accident Lawyer sport related regulations.

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.

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

The EPA won't allow you to import race cars into the US unless it is racing at the time of entry and does not have any features that would make unsafe or unsuitable for use on highways and roads. You must select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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 validity period of their documents, whichever is shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's permits. However, they must to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. The owner of the village of indian hill motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle has to be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting people or property, and that is powered by something other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or agricultural business as well as equipment of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The parker motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicles. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and used to perform the transportation purpose of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. It also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of the county of more than 1 million inhabitants.