Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are a few similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who wish to import their own cars must ensure they have all the documentation to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition the documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is shared by multiple people Each signature has to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card must be attached to it. If they don't possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

In order for an imported vehicle to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicle accident law firm (from the Willysforsale blog) vehicles less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each automobile must place the label on each vehicle that states that it meets these standards.

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

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from one state to the next, but there are commonalities across the nation when it comes to the registration of the vehicle and getting the required driving license. The safety of drivers, the highway, 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 other equipment, which includes various motor vehicle accident attorney sport related requirements.

If you are importing an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars that are imported for a long time or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

You will need an CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports and have a genuine desire to own a car. You will also need to meet a number of other compliance requirements, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a racing car into the US unless it was race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads and highways. You will have to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you'll be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified 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. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT HS-7 upon entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax of 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as their base. Additionally spare parts included with the imported vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The car owner must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the operation or farming business as well as equipment of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt 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 division of the state is responsible for regulating used and new dealers as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove that they bought a vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to fulfill the transportation function of an agency, or operation. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. In addition, the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles used by firefighters or police officers ambulances, as well as vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county having more than one million.