motor vehicle accident lawyer Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ by state, there's certain commonalities across the nation in terms of titling, registration and fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you can find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles 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

Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles must make sure they have the documents needed to avoid additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally, all documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual, each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and white photocopy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally entitled, an imported vehicle must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards demand that vehicles not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't meet the standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and motor vehicle accident lawyers DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Racing

Motor vehicle laws differ from state to state however, there are some commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sports-related requirements.

The first step to import racing vehicles to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing.

In order to qualify for this, you'll need to have an CAMS license and prove your past motorsport participation and a real need for the car. You will also need to satisfy a variety of other requirements for compliance, including the fitting of child restraints 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 incompatible for use on roads and highways. You must select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Motorists traveling to 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 having to obtain license plates or driver's permits. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as being subject to an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. Personal presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines "motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport people or property that is powered by something other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person who has disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming business or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating new and second-hand dealers as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle related businesses. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove that they purchased the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to perform the transportation purpose of an agency or the activity. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. Additionally the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million inhabitants.