Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While austell motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are some similarities across the country regarding titling, registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. On LawServer, you'll find state and federal laws on motor vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.

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 who want to import their own vehicles must ensure that they have all required documentation to avoid paying additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading the certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents related 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 valid driver's license or ID card. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

To be legally entitled, an imported vehicle must comply with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards demand that motor vehicles less than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each automobile must place an identification label to each vehicle that states that it meets these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a nonresident wishes to import an automobile that does not meet the standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws for lindenhurst Motor vehicle accident attorney - vimeo.com, vehicles vary between states, 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 controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

If you intend to import an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily race-related.

In order to qualify for this, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license and prove your past motorsport participation and a genuine need for the car. You will also have to meet other requirements to be compliant including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import race cars into the US in the event that the car is race-ready at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or incompatible for use on roads and highways. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Vehicles 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. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty, 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as a base. In addition spare parts included in the import vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The 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 driven by power other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in the operation or farming business, as well as implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. Each state's laws may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating dealers of second-hand and new vehicles manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove they bought the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to perform the transportation function of an agency or business. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. Furthermore the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters and vehicles owned the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million people.