Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ from state to state, there are some commonalities across the country in terms of titling, registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as other legal Questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents wishing to import their own vehicles must ensure that they have all the documentation to avoid additional taxes. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle should 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 have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.

To allow an imported car to be legally titled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require that vehicles not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that every automobile be identified by the manufacturer as meeting these requirements.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that is not in compliance with the standards, Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney they must to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from one state to the next, but there are some similarities across the country in the process of registering the vehicle and getting an official 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 other equipment, which includes various motor vehicle accident sport related regulations.

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

You will need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports and have a real desire to own a car. You will also need to comply with a range of other requirements for compliance, such as the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or unsuitable to use on roads and highways. You must make sure to select the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or the shorter period as long as they do not need license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10% VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate that can range from 15% up to 100% based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal 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 people or property, and which is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agriculture business, as well as implements of husbandry or snow plowing, Motor Vehicle accident Attorney (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The laws of each state may differ slightly 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, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs dealers of second-hand and new vehicles as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle related companies. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle is a vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and used to carry out the transportation role of an agency or activity. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles used by police officers or firefighters ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle belonging to the commissioners court of a county with more than one million.