Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing Westfield Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer vehicles vary from state to state, there are a few similarities across the country regarding titling, registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer, you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as well as 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' permits. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles must ensure that they have all the necessary documentation to avoid any additional charges. This documentation includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several individuals, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card must be included with it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all paperwork.

In order for an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand that motor vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to the safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that does not meet these standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state, however there are a number of similarities across the nation regarding registration of vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and other equipment, which includes a number of motor sport related regulations.

If you plan to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for vehicles which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing.

You'll need a CAMS license and proof that you have participated in motorsports, and have a valid desire for a car. You also need to meet other compliance requirements like fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

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

Imported Vehicles for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their automobiles 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 such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to customs duty, 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as the basis. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts shipped with the vehicle imported. The owner of the vehicle must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines the term "claremore motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting people or property, and which is powered by something other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or agricultural business as well as equipment of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle related companies. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective.

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 used to perform the transportation function of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety department. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than one million.