motor vehicle accident law firms Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are some similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their own cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't be subject to additional duties. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition all documents that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card should be attached to it. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To be legally entitled an import vehicle, it must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand specifically that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years old, conform to the safety and bumper requirements, and that each automobile be identified by the manufacturer as satisfying these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these requirements 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 Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing Motor vehicle Accident attorney vehicles differ between states, however, there are some similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including various motor sport related regulations.

If you are importing cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars that will be imported permanently or temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports, and have a valid desire to own a car. You also need to meet other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it was race-ready at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads and highways. You will have to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be filing with customs and Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have ratified the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports, whichever is shorter as long as they do not need license plates or driver's licenses. However, they have to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of pistons using their book value as their base. In addition spare parts that are shipped with the imported automobile are also subject to these duties and taxes. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is necessary.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device that is capable of transporting property or people and that is powered by a source other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming business and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition can differ among states, and vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and utilized to carry out the transport role of an agency or the activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million residents.