Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are certain similarities across the country in terms of titling, registration and fees, taxes and drivers licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws on motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. Written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Nonresidents who wish to import their personal cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't have to pay additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certificate of origin, and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. In addition all documents related to the vehicle need to 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 copy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To allow 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. The DOT standards demand that lorain motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicles that are not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from one state to another, however there are some universalities across the country in the process of registering a vehicle and obtaining an official driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including various motor sport related regulations.

If you are importing an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for cars that will be imported permanently or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

In order to qualify for this program, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license and xilubbs.xclub.tw demonstrate your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the car. You will also have to satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not allow you to import a race car into the US unless the car is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't have any features which make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You will have to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Imported Touring 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 are required to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10% VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based on piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. The presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "kenner motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle" as any device that is capable of moving property or people and that is powered by something other than muscular force and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming enterprise or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition could differ slightly between states, and vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial accountability laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove that they bought a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

The definition of a"government motor" vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch via purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized in the performance of an agency's or activity's transport function. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. Additionally the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, ambulances, and vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county having more than one million.