Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicles vary by state, there's certain similarities across the United States in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws governing motor vehicle accidents vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal vehicles must have them fully documented to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. Additionally all documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by multiple people, each signature needs to 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 may be used to sign all the documents.

To allow an imported car to be legally entitled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly the DOT standards, motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles that are not more than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each vehicle affix the label on each vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these requirements.

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

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws for motor vehicles vary from state to state but there are many commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are 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 regulations.

If you are importing an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that will be imported permanently or temporarily raced.

To be eligible for this, you will require an CAMS license and demonstrate your past motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You also need to meet other requirements to be compliant like fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not grant 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 inadvisable for use on roads or highways. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their vehicles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or less without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem rate that can range from 15% up to 100% based upon the piston displacement. Additionally spare parts included in the import vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport property or persons and is powered by something other than muscular force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming enterprise or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by tracks or rails and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle department of the state oversees new and second-hand dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle related companies. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove that they purchased the wrong 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 used to carry out the transportation function of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. Additionally the definition of the word is as any vehicle that is used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of firefighters or police officers, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court in a county with more than one million residents.