Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are a few similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as in addition to related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can travel in their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal vehicles must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, certification of origin and other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition the documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual, each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

In order for an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards demand that motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles not more than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each automobile must place a label on each such vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wants to import a car that is not in compliance with the requirements, they'll have to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get 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. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and other equipment, which includes a number of motor sport related requirements.

If you are importing an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for vehicles which are imported for the long term or temporarily used for racing purposes.

You'll require a CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports and have a real desire for a car. You will also need to meet a number of other compliance requirements, including the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not allow you to import race cars into the US unless the car is racing at the time entry and doesn't contain any features that make it unsafe or unpractical for use on roads and highways. You must make sure to mark 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 can be cleared by customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their automobiles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year, or the validity of their documents. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of pistons using their book value as the base. Additionally, spare parts sent in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in person.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle Accident Law firm vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agriculture business, as well as implements of snow plowing or husbandry, Motor vehicle Accident Law Firm (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The definition could differ slightly among states, and vehicles that aren't eligible for exemptions are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating dealers of second-hand and new vehicles manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they bought a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing and used to perform the transportation purpose of an agency or business. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Additionally the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or Motor Vehicle Accident Law Firm providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles used by police officers or firefighters ambulances, as well as vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county that has more than one million.