Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are a few commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. driver's licenses or license plates. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal vehicles must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. The 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 don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all 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 demand, in particular, that motor vehicles not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer to meet these standards.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't meet the standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are similarities across the country when it comes down to registering a vehicle and obtaining an driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sport-related requirements.

If you plan to import an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered into racing.

You will need a CAMS license and Motor Vehicle Accident attorneys proof that you have competed in motorsports and that you have a legitimate need for a vehicle. You must also comply with other requirements for compliance including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is race-ready 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 must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem rate that can range from 15% up to 100% based upon the piston displacement. Additionally spare parts included along with the vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. Personal presence of the car-owner is required.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport property or persons and is propelled by power other than muscular force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming business and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of "motor vehicle" may differ in different states, and any vehicles that are not eligible for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The Motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating dealers of second-hand and new vehicles, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle-related companies. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove they bought a defective car or truck.

The definition of a"government" vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized in the performance of an agency's or organization's transportation function. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. In addition, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million residents.