Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles, as well as related legal questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified 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 accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't have to pay additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual, 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 possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be legally titled in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Citrus Heights Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand that motor vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every vehicle be identified by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wishes to import vehicles that do not comply with these standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws that govern bloomington motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicles vary from state to the next, but there are universalities across the country when it comes to the registration of the vehicle and getting the required driving license. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, as well as several motor sport related requirements.

The first step to import racing cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

You'll need an CAMS licence and to prove that you have competed in motorsports, and have a valid need for a car. Additionally, you must satisfy a variety of other compliance requirements, including the fitting of child restraints and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on streets and highways. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or the shorter period without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. However, they have to present EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as with an ad valorem fee ranging from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. In addition spare parts shipped with the imported automobile are also subject to these duties and taxes. The presence of the owner is required.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting persons or property and is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from a disability, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agricultural business, as well as implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The definition may vary slightly between states, and vehicles that aren't eligible for exemption are subject to registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The citrus Heights motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle department of the state oversees used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they bought an unreliable new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to fulfill the transportation function of an agency, or activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, ambulances, and vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than one million.