Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle accidents 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. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

The nationals of the countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their own cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents covering the vehicle. In addition all documents that pertain to the vehicle must 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 license or ID card. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.

To allow an imported car to be legally entitled in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards demand that motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix a label on each such vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a car that isn't in compliance with requirements, they will need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

Motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, however there are a number of commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, as well as a number of motor sport related regulations.

If you are importing an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is a requirement for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing.

In order to qualify for this, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license as well as prove your past motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You must also satisfy a variety of other requirements to be compliant, such as the installation of child restraint points and Motor vehicle Accident Lawsuits 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it was race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads and highways. You must 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 traveling to 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 period of validity of their documents or less, without having to obtain license plates or driver's permits. However, they are required to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax of 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as the base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are supplied with the imported automobile. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting property or persons and is driven by power other than muscular force, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming operation tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that meets the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

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

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and used to perform the transportation role 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 does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle belonging to the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million.