Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

Nationals from countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal vehicles must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. This includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. In addition all documents that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black-and-white photocopy of their current driver's license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

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 demand particularly that vehicles not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every automobile be labeled by the manufacturer to meet these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a car that does not meet the requirements, they'll have 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 for motor vehicles vary between states, however, there are some commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including various motor vehicle accidents sport related requirements.

If you plan to import an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

You'll require an CAMS license and proof that you've participated in motorsports and have a genuine desire to own a car. You also need to meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it was race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on streets and 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 prior to the vehicle passes through customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by 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 or the shorter period without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuits an ad valorem taxes ranging from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as a base. Additionally spare parts shipped with the imported vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and that is driven by power 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 suffers from handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agriculture business as well as equipment of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any vehicle that meets the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating new and second-hand dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle Accident Lawsuits vehicle related businesses. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove that they bought a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and utilized to carry out the transport purpose of an agency or operation. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million inhabitants.