Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary according to state, there are certain commonalities across the nation in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles and related legal Questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people each signature must be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be attached to it. If they don't possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each vehicle affix an identification label to each vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that does not meet the requirements, they'll have to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to another, but there are some commonalities across the country when it comes to registering vehicles and obtaining the required driving license. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including many steubenville motor vehicle accident law firm sports related requirements.

The first step in importing a racing car into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that are imported for a long time or that are temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports and have a genuine desire to own a car. You must also meet other requirements to be compliant such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race car into the US unless it was race-ready when it is entered and does not have features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on streets and highways. You must mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle passes through customs.

Imported Vehicles for touring

Motorists traveling to 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 shorter without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. However, they have to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax of 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as the base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every vehicle that can transport people or property and which is powered by something other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person who has a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farm business, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that qualifies under the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other businesses related to motor vimeo.Com vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they purchased a defective new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or the activity. 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 for the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, and vehicles owned the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million people.