Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ from state to state, there are some commonalities across the country in regards to titling, registration and fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer, you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicle accident Attorney vehicles as and related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of the countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must approve the trip in writing.

Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents

Non-residents wishing to import their own cars must ensure that they have all the documentation to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certificate of origin, and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle must also be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black and white photocopy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To allow an imported car to be legally registered 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 vehicles less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each automobile must place an inscription on each vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import an automobile that does not meet these requirements they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws for motor vehicles vary between states, but there are many similarities across the nation regarding registration of vehicles and being licensed to drive. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including various motor vehicle accident law firms sport related requirements.

The first step to import a racing car to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

You'll need an CAMS licence and to prove that you have competed in motorsports and have a real need for a vehicle. You also need to satisfy other compliance requirements such as 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 in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't possess any features that render it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways or roads. You must make sure to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the 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.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate that ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts supplied with the imported automobile. Personal presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of moving property or people and that is powered by a source other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation 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. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle accidents vehicle department of the state oversees dealers who sell second-hand and new cars and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle related companies. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove that they purchased a vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is utilized to carry out the transport function of an agency, or operation. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. It also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court in a county that has more than 1 million inhabitants.