motor vehicle accidents Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries who 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 Nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't be subject to additional duties. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. In addition, all documents pertaining 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 included with it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all paperwork.

To be legally entitled an imported vehicle, it must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand specifically that vehicles not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that every automobile be branded by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

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

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

Motor vehicle laws vary between states, however, there are some similarities across the nation regarding registration of vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

If you plan to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars that are imported for a long time or that are temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need a CAMS license and proof that you have competed in motorsports and have a genuine need for a vehicle. You also need to meet other requirements to be compliant such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is race-ready during its entry and lacks features that render it unsafe or unsuitable for use on streets and highways. You will need to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have ratified the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports, whichever is shorter without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. In addition, spare parts sent with the imported automobile are also subject to these duties and taxes. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor Vehicle accident attorney vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from an impairment, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agriculture business, as well as implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The definition of "motor vehicle" may differ between states, and the vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove they bought an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and used to carry out the transportation function of an agency or activity. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. In addition the term is defined as any vehicle that is used by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police or firefighters, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of the county of more than one million residents.