Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are some similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws on motor vehicles, as well as related legal questions & Answers.

The nationals of countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles 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 wishing to import their own cars must make sure they have the documents needed to avoid additional taxes. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle must also be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black and white photocopy of their current driver's license or ID card. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally titled an import vehicle, it must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles not more than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each automobile must place the label on each vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import vehicles that do not meet the standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state but there are many similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and vehicle security. 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 are importing an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily race-related.

To be eligible to be eligible, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license and proof of your previous participation in motorsports and a legitimate need for the vehicle. Additionally, you must comply with a range of other requirements for compliance, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a race car into the US unless it is race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads and highways. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles for Touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or less as long as they do not need license plates or driver's permits. However, they are required to present EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as a base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal presence of the car-owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "belton motor vehicle accident Lawsuit vehicle" as any device capable of transporting persons or property, and is powered by something other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who has a disability, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or operation, as well as implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. Every state's law may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that meets 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 new and second-hand dealers and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other milltown motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle related businesses. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove they bought a defective car or truck.

The definition of a government motor vehicle is any vehicle purchased by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease, and used for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or organization's transportation function. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. Furthermore the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle that are owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than one million.