roanoke motor vehicle accident law firm Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are certain similarities across the country regarding titling registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

The nationals of countries that have ratified 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 are planning to import their personal vehicles must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they don't have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

To be legally entitled the vehicle that is imported must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require, in particular, that motor vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every vehicle be labeled by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a nonresident wants to import a vehicle which does not meet the standards, they must to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

Motor vehicle laws differ between states, but there are many commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. 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 other equipment, which includes several motor vehicle accident attorney (vimeo.com) sport related requirements.

The first step in importing racing cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports and that you have a legitimate need for a car. You must also comply with other requirements for compliance such as fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is racing at the time of entry and does not have any features that would make it unsafe or incompatible for use on roads and highways. You will need to select the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filing with 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 signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year or the validity of their documents. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT HS-7 upon entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem taxes ranging from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of the piston using their book value as a base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are sent with the imported auto. Personal presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device capable of transporting people or property that is driven by power other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person with a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming business tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on tracks or rails and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Every state's law may differ from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that qualifies under the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

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

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and utilized to carry out the transport purpose of an agency or the activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. It also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes private vehicles used by police officers or firefighters, ambulances, and vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county having more than one million.