Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicle laws vary by state, there are certain similarities across the country regarding titling registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles, as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. In addition all documents related to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by multiple people each signature must be notarized. A black and white copy of the driver's license or ID card must be included with it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

To allow an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require, in particular, that vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as meeting these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that does not meet the standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state, however, there are some commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Safety of the driver, highway 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 other equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.

The first step in importing race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for Motor vehicle accident Lawsuits cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing.

You'll require an CAMS license and proof that you have competed in motorsports and have a genuine need for a car. Additionally, you must meet other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

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

Imported Touring Vehicles

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

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based on piston displacement. These duties and motor vehicle accident lawsuits taxes also apply to spare parts included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the vehicle must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines "motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicle" as every vehicle that can transport people or property and which is powered by a source other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by an individual with a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming operation, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon tracks or rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicles. 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.

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 that is used for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Furthermore the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than one million.