Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle accident law firms, qooh.Me, vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are similarities across the country regarding titling, registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find both the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can drive 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 nonresidents

Non-residents wishing to import their own vehicles should ensure they have the documentation to avoid additional fees. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents covering the vehicle. All documents pertaining the vehicle must also be in English. If the vehicle is shared by multiple people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card should be attached to it. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.

To be legally titled, an imported vehicle must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly, DOT standards require that motor vehicles not more than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each automobile must place an inscription on each vehicle stating that it satisfies these requirements.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a car that isn't in compliance with requirements, they will need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are universalities across the country when it comes down to registering an automobile and getting an driving license. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

The first step in importing racing vehicles to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only required for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily raced.

You will need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports and have a real desire to own a car. You must also comply with a range of other compliance requirements, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is race-ready at the time of entry and does not possess any features that render it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Vehicles 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 drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or less as long as they do not need license plates or driver's permits. However, they must to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

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

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting persons or property and is powered by something other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who suffers from handicap, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agricultural business and also implements of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that meets the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing and utilized to carry out the transport function of an agency, or operation. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Additionally the term is defined as any vehicle that is used by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle that are owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than one million.