Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicles vary by state, there are some commonalities across the country in regards to titling, registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find both federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of the countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who want to import their personal vehicles should have them documented to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card must be accompanied by it. If they don't have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require, Provo Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer in particular, that vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations, and that each automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as meeting these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must meet the standards for air pollution emissions. If a non-resident wants to import a car which does not meet 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 Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state however, there are some commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including a number of motor sport related requirements.

If you plan to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

You will need a CAMS license and proof that you've competed in motorsports, and have a valid need for a car. Additionally, you must comply with a range of other requirements to be compliant, such as the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not grant you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration at the time of entry and has features that render it unsafe or unsuitable to use on roads and highways. You must check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you will be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their documents or shorter without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and H-7 upon entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to Customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as the base. In addition spare parts that are shipped in the import vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every vehicle that can transport property or persons and is powered by a source other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person who has a disability; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming operation or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of "motor vehicle" may differ between states, and vehicles that are not eligible for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of each state.

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

The definition of a"government provo motor vehicle accident lawyer" vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch via purchase, excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. In addition the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county that has more than one million.