Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are some similarities across the country regarding titling, registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find state and federal laws on motor vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of the countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars 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 want to import their own vehicles must make sure they have the documents needed to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. Additionally all documents that pertain 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 documents.

To be legally titled, an imported vehicle must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly, DOT standards require that motor vehicle accident law firms vehicles that are less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each one affix an inscription on each vehicle stating that it satisfies these requirements.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a nonresident wants to import a car that does not meet the requirements, they will need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws for motor vehicles vary from state to state however, there are a lot of commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, motor vehicle accident law firms including various motor vehicle accident law firms sport related requirements.

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

To be eligible for this, you will require an CAMS license as well as prove your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the car. Additionally, you must meet other requirements to be compliant like fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of entry and has features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads and highways. You must mark 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 clears customs.

Imported Touring 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 drive their vehicles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or the shorter period without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as a base. In addition, spare parts sent with the imported automobile are also subject to these taxes and duties. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device that is capable of moving property or people and that is powered by something other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and Motor Vehicle Accident Law Firms used dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove that they purchased the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to perform the transportation role of an agency or operation. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. It also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police or firefighters, and vehicles owned the commissioners court in a county with more than one million residents.