Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements along with taxes and Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer, you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicle accident attorney (vimeo.Com) vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. Written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who wish to import their own vehicles must make sure they have the documents needed to avoid additional fees. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition, all documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several people Each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card should be included with it. If they don't possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally entitled the vehicle that is imported must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor vehicles not more than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each automobile must place an identification label to each vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wishes to import vehicles that do not comply with these standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

Motor vehicle laws differ between states, but there are many commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Driver, highway 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 cars and other equipment, which includes many motor sports related requirements.

If you intend to import cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily entered for racing.

In order to qualify for this, you'll require a CAMS license and demonstrate your previous participation in motorsports and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You will also have to comply with other requirements for compliance such as fitting child safety restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration at the time of entry and has features that render it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads or highways. You will have to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle passes through customs.

Imported Vehicles for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive their vehicles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year or the validity of their documents. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT HS-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and 10% VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax which ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property, and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or operation and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The definition could differ slightly in different states, and any vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the registration, licensing and financial accountability laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove they purchased a defective new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to fulfill the transportation role of an agency or the activity. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. 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, police vehicles, and any other vehicle that belong to the commissioners' court of a county having a population greater than 1 million.