Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. DOT must approve the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must make sure they have the necessary documentation to avoid any additional charges. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. All documents pertaining the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by multiple people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be accompanied by it. If they don't possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

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

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

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles differ from one state to the next, but there are a few similarities across the country when it comes to registering an automobile and getting the required driving license. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including many motor sports related regulations.

If you are importing an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered into racing.

To be eligible for this program, you'll require an CAMS license and prove your previous motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the car. You also need to satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't allow you to import a race car into the US unless that car is racing at the time of entry and does not possess any features that render it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You must select the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and motor vehicle accidents submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Imported Vehicles for touring

Motorists visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports, whichever is shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to present EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to customs duty, 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as a base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. Personal presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every vehicle that can transport people or property and which is powered by something other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farm business or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails or tracks or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Every state's law may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that falls within the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle division of the state regulates dealers of second-hand and new vehicles as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle accident vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove that they purchased a vehicle or truck.

The definition of a"government Motor Vehicle Accidents (Http://Wood-Max.Co.Kr/Bbs/Board.Php?Bo_Table=Free&Wr_Id=433523)" vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease, and used to fulfill an agency's or activity's transportation function. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million inhabitants.