Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary by state, there are certain similarities across the United States in the areas of titling registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of countries that have accepted 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

Nonresidents who wish to import their personal vehicles must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't be subject to additional duties. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature has to 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.

In order for an imported vehicle to be legally entitled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards demand specifically that vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer to meet these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't comply with these standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are similarities across the country when it comes to the registration of an automobile and getting a driving license. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and other equipment, which includes various ligonier motor vehicle accident lawyer sport related requirements.

The first step in importing racing vehicles to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily used for racing purposes.

You will need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports and that you have a legitimate need for a vehicle. You will also need to satisfy a variety of other requirements for compliance, such as the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't allow you to import a race car into the US unless that car is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not possess any features that render it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You must select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their 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 must to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to customs duty, 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of pistons using their book value as a base. Additionally spare parts included in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the vehicle must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every vehicle that can transport property or people and that is powered by something other than muscular force (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming business, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of "motor vehicle" may differ among states, and vehicles that aren't eligible for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs new and second-hand dealers, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle related companies. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove that they purchased a defective car or truck.

A government cincinnati motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or operation. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety Department. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers, ambulances, and vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county that has more than one million.