Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary by state, there's certain similarities across the United States in terms of 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 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 approve the trip in writing.

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 have to pay additional taxes. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle need to 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 don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To be legally titled an import vehicle, it must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles not more than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each one affix a label on each such vehicle stating that it meets these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a car that does not meet the standards, they'll need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to another, but there are a few commonalities across the nation when it comes to registering an automobile and getting an official driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including a number of motor sport related regulations.

The first step to import racing vehicles into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily used for racing purposes.

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

The EPA does not permit you to import a race car into the US unless the car is race-ready at the time entry and doesn't have any features that would make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You will have to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or shorter as long as they do not need license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and HS-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem tax which ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport property or people and that is powered by something other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person who has disabilities; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farm business tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of "motor vehicle Accident law firms (marvelvsdc.faith) vehicle" may differ between states, and the vehicles that aren't eligible for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration and financial accountability laws of the state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is utilized to carry out the transport role of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Additionally the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle utilized 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, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court in a county that has more than 1 million residents.