Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer, you'll find state and federal laws on motor vehicles, as in addition to related legal questions and 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' permits. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who wish to import their own cars should ensure they have required documentation to avoid paying additional charges. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents covering the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black and white copy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To allow an imported vehicle to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor vehicles not more than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each such automobile affix an inscription on each vehicle that states that it meets these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle which does not meet the standards, they'll need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing boise city motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles differ from state to state, however, there are a lot of commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes Wahpeton Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer sports-related requirements.

The first step to import racing cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is required for cars that will be permanently imported or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

You'll require a CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports and that you have a legitimate need for a vehicle. You must also satisfy other compliance requirements, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not permit you to import a race car into the US in the event that the car is racing at the time of entry and does not contain any features that make it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways and roads. You will need to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Imported 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 their vehicles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year or the validity of their documents. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem tax which ranges from 15% to 100% based on piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the vehicle must be present in person.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting people or property and is driven by power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who has an impairment, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or operation, as well as implements of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. Every state's law may differ from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove they bought a defective car or truck.

The definition of a"government motor" vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used to carry out an agency's or activity's transport purpose. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, and vehicles owned the commissioners court of an area with more than 1 million residents.