Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ by state, there are certain commonalities across the nation in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer you can find state and federal laws on motor vehicles as well as related legal questions and answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. In addition, all documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver 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 car to be legally titled in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper standards and that every vehicle be identified by the manufacturer as meeting these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not meet these requirements and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern manhattan motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles vary from state to another, however there are some commonalities across the country when it comes to the registration of an automobile and getting an official 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 standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.

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 permanently or temporarily race-related.

In order to qualify to be eligible, you'll need to have a CAMS license and prove your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the vehicle. You will also need to comply with a range of other compliance requirements, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a race car into the US unless it is racing at the time of entry and has features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on streets and highways. You will have to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Imported Vehicles for touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles 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. However, they are required to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to a 40% Customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem taxes ranging from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as a base. Additionally spare parts included with the imported vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. Personal presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property and which is driven by power other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition could differ slightly in different states, and any vehicles that aren't eligible for exemption are subject to registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, and other arnold motor Vehicle accident attorney (vimeo.com) vehicle-related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove they bought an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation purpose of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety department. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million.