morristown motor vehicle accident law firm Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary by state, there's certain similarities across the United States regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer, you'll find federal and state laws on troy motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of the countries that have signed the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who want to import their cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't have to pay additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle must 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 do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

In order for an imported vehicle to be legally registered in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require, in particular, that vehicles not older than 25 years old, conform to the safety and bumper requirements and that every vehicle be identified by the manufacturer as satisfying these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that is not in compliance with the standards, they'll need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state, however, there are a lot of commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are also enforced 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 carbondale motor vehicle accident attorney sport related regulations.

If you are importing an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is only required for cars that are imported for a long time or that are temporarily entered into racing.

To be eligible for this, you'll be required to possess a CAMS license and demonstrate your previous participation in motorsports and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You must also satisfy a variety of other requirements to be compliant, such as fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't allow you to import race cars into the US in the event that the car is race-ready at the time entry and doesn't possess any features that render unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads and highways. You must mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

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 period of one year or the validity of their documents. However, they are required to present EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based upon the piston displacement. In addition spare parts included along with the vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. Personal presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and is propelled using power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person with handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agricultural business and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The laws of each state may differ slightly from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation function of an agency, or business. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county having more than one million.