motor vehicle accident attorney Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ from state to state, there are certain similarities across the country in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as and related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their vehicles to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. DOT must approve the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't be subject to additional duties. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, certification of origin and other legal documents related to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black and white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To allow an imported vehicle to be legally registered in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand specifically that Motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to the safety and bumper requirements, and that each automobile be labelled by the manufacturer to meet these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles meet the standards for motor vehicle accident attorney air pollution emissions. If a nonresident wants to import a car that is not in compliance with the requirements, they'll have to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state but there are many similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

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

You'll require a CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports, and have a valid need for a vehicle. You will also need to comply with a range of other requirements for compliance, such as the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is racing at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on roads and highways. You must mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified 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. 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 used for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10% VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. In addition, spare parts sent along with the vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the vehicle must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agriculture business and implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The laws of each state may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs dealers who sell second-hand and new cars, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle related businesses. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove they bought the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and utilized to carry out the transport purpose of an agency or activity. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by firefighters or motor vehicle accident attorney police officers, ambulances, and vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million.