Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are certain commonalities across the nation regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer, you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. driver's licenses or license plates. A written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who wish to import their own vehicles must make sure they have the necessary documentation to avoid any additional duties. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature must 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 require that vehicles not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import vehicles that do not meet these requirements they must file EPA form 3520-1 and firms DOT HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing sacramento motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles differ from one state to another, however there are a few universalities across the country in the process of registering vehicles and obtaining a driving license. Driver, highway 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 motor sport-related requirements.

If you intend to import cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily used for racing purposes.

You'll require a CAMS license and proof that you've competed in motorsports, and have a valid need for a vehicle. Additionally, you must comply with a range of other compliance requirements, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration when it is entered and does not have features that render it unsafe or unsuitable for use on streets and highways. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified 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. However, they have to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as with an ad valorem fee that ranges from 15% to 100% based upon the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "hialeah motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting persons or property and is propelled using power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business as well as equipment of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

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

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