motor vehicle Accident law firms Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are a few similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents covering the vehicle. In addition the documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several people each signature must be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or Motor vehicle Accident law firms ID card must be attached to it. If they don't possess these documents, motor Vehicle accident law firms a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To allow an imported vehicle to be legally titled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly, DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each vehicle affix the label on each vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that isn't in compliance with standards, they must to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from one state to the next, but there are some similarities across the country when it comes to the registration of vehicles and obtaining the required driving license. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including several motor vehicle accident attorney sport related regulations.

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

You'll require an CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports and have a genuine desire for a car. Additionally, you must meet a number of other requirements for compliance, including the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is racing when it is entered and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on roads and highways. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or the shorter period, without having to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. However, they are required to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well with an ad valorem fee which ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. In addition spare parts shipped with the imported automobile are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the car must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of moving property or persons and is driven by power other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person who has disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming enterprise or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that meets the definition of the statute 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 vehicles. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove they bought a vehicle that was defective.

The definition of a government motor vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and used in the performance of an agency's or activity's transport function. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. It also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety department. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, as well as vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county having a population greater than 1 million.