Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles differ from state to state, there are similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you can find federal and state laws on motor vehicles, as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries who have adopted 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

Nonresidents who wish to import their cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. Additionally, all documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person, each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and white photocopy of their current driver's license or ID card. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require specifically that motor vehicles not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that every automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wishes to import a car which does not meet the standards, they must to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws that govern motor vehicle accident Law firm vehicles are different from one state to the next, but there are similarities across the country when it comes to the registration of the vehicle and getting a driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are also controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, as well as various motor sport related regulations.

The first step to import racing vehicles into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is for cars that will be imported permanently or temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need a CAMS license and proof that you've competed in motorsports and that you have a legitimate 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 does not permit you to import a race car into the US unless the car is racing at the time of entry and does not possess any features that render it unsafe or unpractical for use on highways or roads. You will have to select the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.

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 drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or less, without having to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and Motor Vehicle Accident Law Firm DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based upon the piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are sent with the imported auto. Personal presence of the car-owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "grand prairie motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from a disability, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or agriculture business as well as equipment of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d), all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle department of the state oversees used and new dealers and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle related businesses. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove that they purchased a defective car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is utilized to carry out the transport purpose of an agency or business. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Furthermore, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, and vehicles owned the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million residents.