Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their vehicles to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. Written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars must ensure they have all required documentation to avoid paying additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certification of origin and other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by multiple people each signature has 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 paperwork.

To allow an imported vehicle to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards demand specifically that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every vehicle be identified by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that does not meet the standards, they must to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws for victoria motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles vary from state to state, however there are a number of commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related requirements.

The first step in importing racing cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily race-related.

You'll need an CAMS license and proof that you have competed in motorsports and that you have a legitimate desire to own a car. You will also need to meet a number of other requirements for compliance, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless the car is race-ready at the time entry and doesn't contain any features that make unsafe or unsuitable for use on highways and roads. You will need to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle passes through customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or shorter as long as they do not need license plates or driver's licenses. However, they are required to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as the basis. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts supplied with the imported automobile. The car owner must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines a "punxsutawney motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle" as any device capable of transporting persons or property, and is propelled using power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or operation, as well as implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. Each state's laws may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle department of the state oversees new and second-hand dealers and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove that they purchased the wrong vehicle or truck.

The definition of a government motor vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation function. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers, ambulances, and vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county with a population greater than 1 million.