Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary according to state, there are certain commonalities across the nation regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws governing motor vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries who have signed the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle must 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's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To allow an imported vehicle to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards require that motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicles that are less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each automobile must place an inscription on each vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these standards.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not meet these requirements and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles are different from one state to another, however there are a few universalities across the country when it comes to registering a vehicle and obtaining the required driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor vehicle accident law firms (ghasemtorabi.ir) sports-related standards.

The first step to import racing cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or that are temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need an CAMS license and proof that you have competed in motorsports and Motor vehicle accident law firms have a real need for a vehicle. You must also satisfy other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race car into the US unless it is in race configuration when it is entered and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on roads or highways. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted the 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 AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10% VAT, as well with an ad valorem fee that can range from 15% up to 100% based on the piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. Personal presence of the car-owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of moving property or persons and is powered by something other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farm business and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Every state's law may differ slightly from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition 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 of second-hand and new vehicles as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor motor Vehicle accident Law Firms vehicle-related companies. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they purchased a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. 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 of firefighters or police officers, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in the county of more than 1 million inhabitants.