Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle accidents vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are some commonalities across the country in regards to titling, registration fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicles and 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. license plates or driver's licenses. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents

Non-residents wishing to import their own cars must make sure they have the documents needed to avoid additional fees. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition all documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by several people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be accompanied by it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular, DOT standards require that Motor Vehicle Accident Law Firm vehicles that are not more than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each one affix an identification label to each vehicle stating that it meets these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state, however, there are a lot of similarities across the nation regarding registration of vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver 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 equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.

The first step in importing a racing car into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily race-related.

To be eligible to be eligible, you'll need to have a CAMS license and prove your previous motorsport participation and a real need for the car. Additionally, you must meet a number of other requirements for compliance, such as the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not permit you to import a race car into the US unless the car is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't contain any features that make it unsafe or incompatible for use on roads and highways. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their documents or the shorter period and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty and 10% VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate ranging from 15% to 100% based on piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting people or property and is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that qualifies under the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also manages 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 a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation function of an agency, or operation. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. The term also encompasses any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle that belong to the commissioners' court of a county with more than one million.