Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary by state, there's some commonalities across the country regarding titling registration and fees, Vimeo taxes and drivers licenses. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Nonresidents who wish to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't be subject to additional duties. This includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle need to 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 do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

To allow an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly the DOT standards, brownsville motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles not more than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each one affix the label on each vehicle stating that it meets these standards.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import vehicles that do not comply with these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and Vimeo DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws that govern motor vehicles differ from one state to another, however there are some commonalities across the nation in the process of registering an automobile and getting the required driving license. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are regulated 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 sports-related standards.

If you intend to import an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars that will be imported permanently or temporarily raced.

To be eligible for this, you'll require an CAMS license and demonstrate your previous motorsport participation and a genuine need for the vehicle. You must also meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race 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 roads or highways. You must select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the 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. However, they have to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based upon the piston displacement. These taxes and vimeo duties apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting property or people and that is powered by a source other than muscular power that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming operation tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove they bought an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing and used to fulfill the transportation function of an agency or activity. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million people.