Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ according to state, there are some commonalities across the country regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws pertaining to motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must ensure that they have all the necessary documentation to avoid any additional fees. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. Additionally all documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card must also accompany it. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To be legally entitled the vehicle that is imported must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require, in particular, that motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicles not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper requirements and that each vehicle be labelled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a nonresident wants to import a vehicle that does not comply with these standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ between states, however, there are a lot of commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

If you plan to import an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, motor vehicle accident Attorney the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

You will need an CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports and have a real need for a vehicle. Additionally, you must meet a number of other requirements for compliance, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is in race configuration during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on roads and highways. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

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 period of validity of their documents, whichever is shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to Customs duty, 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax of 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as the basis. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are supplied with the imported automobile. The owner of the car must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property, and that is propelled using power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agricultural business as well as equipment of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The definition may vary slightly in different states, and any vehicles that do not qualify for exemption are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they bought an unreliable new car 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 carry out the transportation function of an agency or activity. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. Furthermore the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of firefighters or police officers, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million inhabitants.