Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are a few similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find both state and federal laws on motor vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who wish to import their own cars must ensure that they have all the documents needed to avoid additional charges. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by several individuals each signature must be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be attached to it. If they don't have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

In order for an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand that vehicles not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import a car that is not in compliance with the requirements, they'll have to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicle accident vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are some similarities across the country when it comes to registering an automobile and getting a 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 vehicles and equipment, including several motor sport related regulations.

The first step to import race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is for cars which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or temporarily entered into racing.

To be eligible to be eligible, you'll need to have a CAMS license as well as prove your previous motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the car. You also need to satisfy other compliance requirements like fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import a race car into the US unless that car is race-ready at the time entry and doesn't contain any features that make it unsafe or unpractical for use on highways and roads. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and submit an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Motorists traveling to 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 passports or Motor vehicle accident Lawyers shorter without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT HS-7 upon entry.

Vehicles imported for Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers touring purposes are also subject to a 40% Customs duty, 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as a base. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are supplied with the imported automobile. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in person.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport people or property that is powered by something other than muscular force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by an individual with a disability; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farm business, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition could differ slightly between states, and vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The motor vehicle department of the state oversees dealers of second-hand and new vehicles, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle related companies. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove they bought a vehicle that was defective.

A government motor vehicle Accident Lawyers vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to fulfill the transportation function of an agency or the activity. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety Department. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, as well as vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county with more than one million.