Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries who have signed the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person 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 can be used to sign the required paperwork.

In order for an imported vehicle to be legally titled 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 Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit bumper regulations and that each vehicle be branded by the manufacturer as satisfying these standards.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to another, however there are some commonalities across the country when it comes to the registration of the vehicle and getting the required driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.

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.

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

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race car into the US unless it is racing during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads or highways. You will need to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle passes through customs.

Imported Vehicles for touring

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

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit duties apply to spare parts that are sent with the imported auto. Personal presence of the car-owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting property or people and that is driven by power other than muscular force, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming business, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of "massachusetts motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle accident lawsuit, my homepage, vehicle" may differ in different states, and any vehicles that aren't eligible for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they purchased a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

The definition of a"government motor" vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation function. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. It also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of firefighters or police officers, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of a county with more than one million residents.