motor vehicle accident lawyers Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws regarding Motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries who have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. Written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person, each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and white copy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all paperwork.

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

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle 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 obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

Motor vehicle laws 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 the safety of drivers, highways and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, as well as several motor sport related regulations.

The first step to import racing cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that will be permanently imported or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports and have a genuine need for a vehicle. Additionally, you must satisfy a variety of other requirements for compliance, such as the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not grant you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of entry and has features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads or highways. You must make sure to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year, or the validity of their documents. However, they must to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to Customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as their base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts included in the imported vehicle. Personal presence of the car-owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting people or property, and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person with a disability, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or agricultural business as well as equipment of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The laws of each state may differ slightly from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicle division regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased the wrong vehicle or truck.

The definition of a"government" motor vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch via purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized in the performance of an agency's or activity's transport purpose. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes private vehicles used by firefighters or police officers ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county with a population greater than 1 million.