motor vehicle accident lawsuit (official website) Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ by state, there's certain similarities across the country in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer you'll find both federal and state laws on motor vehicles as and related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries who have accepted 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 approve the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their personal cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, 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 jointly owned by several people Each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card should be accompanied by it. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require, in particular, that vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as meeting these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wants to import a vehicle that does not meet the standards, they'll need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

Motor vehicle laws differ from state to state, however there are a number of commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. 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 vehicles and equipment, as well as many motor sports related regulations.

The first step in importing race cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that are imported for a long time or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

To be eligible for this, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license and prove your previous motorsport participation and a genuine need for the car. You will also need to satisfy other requirements for compliance, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless it is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't have any features that would make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You must make sure to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle passes through customs.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Motorists who visit 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, whichever is shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT 7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as being subject to an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100% based on piston displacement. In addition spare parts included in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The car owner must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be 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 with an impairment, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business, as well as implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The definition may vary slightly between states, and vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the licensing, Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit registration and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs dealers of second-hand and new vehicles and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicle related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove they bought the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to carry out the transportation function of an agency, or the activity. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Additionally, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million.