Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are some commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicles, as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

The nationals of the 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. Written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who wish to import their own cars must make sure they have the documents needed to avoid additional duties. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. All documents pertaining the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card must be accompanied by it. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

In order for an imported car to be legally entitled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards demand that motor vehicles that are less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each one affix a label on each such vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a non-resident wants to import vehicles that do not meet the standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws for motor vehicles vary between states, however, there are a lot of similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and ofallon motor vehicle Accident Lawsuit enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including many motor sports related regulations.

If you are planning to import an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is only required for cars that will be imported permanently or temporarily entered into racing.

To be eligible to be eligible, you'll be required to possess a CAMS license and demonstrate your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the car. You will also have to meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not allow you to import race cars into the US unless the car is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not have any features that would make unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads and highways. You will need to select the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year or the validity of their documents. However, they must to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10% VAT, as well with an ad valorem fee ranging from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. In addition spare parts included in the import vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. Personal presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting people or property and is driven by power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who has a disability, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agriculture business and also implements of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d), all-terrain vehicles. The definition could differ slightly between states, and the vehicles that aren't eligible for exemption are subject to licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The ofallon motor vehicle accident lawsuit (just click for source) vehicle division of the state regulates dealers of second-hand and new vehicles as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government west palm beach motor vehicle accident lawyer 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 role of an agency or business. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. In addition the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in the county of more than 1 million residents.