motor vehicle accident law firms Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing Motor vehicle Accident Attorneys vehicles vary from state to state, there are similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer, you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicle accident vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries who 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 authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be included with it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

To be legally titled, an imported vehicle must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require that motor vehicles not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper regulations and that each vehicle be labeled by the manufacturer as meeting these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import an automobile that does not comply with these standards and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles are different from one state to the next, but there are a few commonalities across the nation when it comes to the registration of an automobile and getting a driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including various motor sport related requirements.

If you are planning to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily race-related.

You'll need an CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports, and have a valid desire for a car. You must also satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not allow you to import a race car into the US unless the car is racing at the time entry and doesn't have any features which make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You will have to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle passes through customs.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified 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. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT H-7 upon entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to Customs duty, 10% VAT, and ad valorem taxes ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston using their book value as the base. Additionally spare parts that are shipped along with the vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting people or property, and that is driven by power other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person with disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agriculture business and also implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. 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 and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs dealers of second-hand and new vehicles and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle related companies. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove that they bought a defective new 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, and used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters ambulances, as well as vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million.