Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can travel in their cars to the United States without U.S. license plates or driver's licenses. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents wishing to import their own vehicles must ensure they have all the documentation to avoid additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certification of origin and motor vehicle accident law firm other legal documents related to the vehicle. In addition all documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by several individuals each signature must 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 documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must comply with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require specifically that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every vehicle be identified by the manufacturer as meeting these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a car which does not meet the standards, they must to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles are different from one state to another, but there are some commonalities across the nation in the process of registering vehicles and obtaining an official driving license. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

The first step to import racing vehicles to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing.

In order to qualify to be eligible, you'll require a CAMS license as well as prove your past motorsport participation and a real need for the vehicle. You must also meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import a race car into the US in the event that the car is racing at the time entry and doesn't possess any features that render it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You will need to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Motorists who are visiting 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 the shorter period without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. However, they are required to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT 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 from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston using their book value as a base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts sent with the imported auto. Personal presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle accident law firms vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport property or people and that is powered by a source other than muscular force, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ from the definition and any vehicle that qualifies under the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

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

The definition of a government motor vehicle Accident Law Firm vehicle is any vehicle purchased 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 purpose. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. Additionally, the term is defined as any vehicle that is used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles of police officers or motor vehicle Accident law firm firefighters ambulances, as well as vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county that has more than 1 million.