Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their vehicles to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't have to pay additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certification of origin and other legal documents related to the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by multiple people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should also accompany it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the 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 that are less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and Vimeo.Com that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix an inscription on each vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not meet these requirements and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles differ between states, however, there are some commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are also subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes cedarhurst motor vehicle accident lawyer sports-related rules and regulations.

The first step to import racing cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is a requirement for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily race-related.

You will need a CAMS license and proof that you've competed in motorsports and have a real need for a vehicle. You will also need to satisfy a variety of other requirements for compliance, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads and highways. You must select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year or the validity of their documents. However, they are required to present EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem taxes ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as the basis. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the car must be present in person.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device capable of transporting people or property and which is powered by a source other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person who has disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on tracks or rails and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The keene motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle division of the state governs new and second-hand dealers and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a defective new car or truck.

The definition of a"government" motor vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or organization's transportation function. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles used by firefighters or police officers, ambulances, and vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county with a population greater than 1 million.