Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ by state, there's certain similarities across the United States regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws on motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles and related legal Questions & Answers.

The nationals of the countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. Written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents

Non-residents who want to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by several individuals, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card must be accompanied by it. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

To be legally entitled the vehicle that is imported must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Motor vehicle accident lawyers Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles not more than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each one affix a label on each such vehicle stating that it meets these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that does not meet these requirements they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to obtain prior motor vehicle accident Lawyers approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are commonalities across the nation when it comes to the registration of vehicles and obtaining a driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. 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 requirements.

If you plan to import an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily race-related.

In order to qualify for this, you'll need to have a CAMS license and proof of your motorsport experience and a legitimate need for the car. You will also need to satisfy a variety of other requirements to be compliant, such as the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't allow you to import race cars into the US unless that car is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't have any features which make unsafe or unsuitable for use on highways or roads. You must make sure to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the 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. However, they have to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the time of 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 ranges from 15% to 100% based upon the piston displacement. In addition, spare parts sent along with the vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. Personal presence of the car-owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting people or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person with handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business as well as equipment of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle accident law firms vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies as well as other businesses that are related to Motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a vehicle or truck.

The definition of a"government" motor vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch through purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million inhabitants.