Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicle laws vary by state, there are some commonalities across the country in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws on motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their personal cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and motor vehicle any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is shared by a number of people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be included with it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

To be legally titled the vehicle that is imported must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require specifically that vehicles not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every vehicle be labelled by the manufacturer to meet these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle which does not meet the requirements, they'll have to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are a few similarities across the country in the process of registering the vehicle and getting a driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.

If you are importing an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is necessary for vehicles which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or temporarily entered into racing.

In order to qualify to be eligible, you'll need to have an CAMS license as well as prove your motorsport experience and a genuine need for the vehicle. You must also meet other requirements to be compliant like fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not permit you to import a race car into the US unless the car is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not contain any features that make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You must make sure to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by 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 automobiles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year, or the validity of their documents. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well with an ad valorem fee that ranges from 15% to 100% based upon the piston displacement. Additionally spare parts that are shipped with the imported vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the vehicle must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property and motor vehicle which is powered by something other than muscular force, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming business or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on rails or tracks or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that meets 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 regulates dealers who sell second-hand and new cars as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle related companies. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can 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 used to perform the transportation purpose of an agency or operation. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters, and vehicles owned the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million inhabitants.