Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicles differ from state to state, there are some similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. This includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be included with it. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally entitled, an imported vehicle must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards demand that motor vehicles that are less than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each such automobile affix a label on each such vehicle that states that it meets these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a nonresident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws that govern motor Vehicle accident attorney vehicles differ from one state to another, however there are some universalities across the country when it comes to the registration of vehicles and obtaining an driving license. 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 vehicles and equipment, including a number of motor sport related regulations.

The first step in importing a racing car into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only required for cars that will be permanently imported or Motor vehicle Accident attorney if they are being temporarily used in racing.

You will need an CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports, and have a valid desire for a car. Additionally, you must satisfy other requirements for compliance, such as the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not allow you to import a race car into the US unless the car is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You will have to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Motorists visiting 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 validity period of their documents or the shorter period without the need to obtain 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 as well as 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of pistons using their book value as their base. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are sent with the imported auto. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property and is propelled using power other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who suffers from handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business, as well as implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other businesses related to motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective.

The definition of a"government motor" vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Additionally the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of the county of more than 1 million residents.