Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find both the federal and state laws governing motor Vehicle accident attorney vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

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

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certification of origin and other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle must also be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person 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 have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require, in particular, that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that every vehicle be identified by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a car that is not in compliance with the standards, they must to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Vehicles Imported for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicle accidents vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are commonalities across the country when it comes down to registering the vehicle and getting a driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are also controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including several motor vehicle accident attorneys sport related requirements.

The first step to import a racing car to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily used for racing purposes.

You'll require a CAMS license and proof that you've participated in motorsports, and have a valid need for a car. You must also meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is racing at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on streets and highways. You must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's permits. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT HS-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are sent with the imported auto. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting people or property, and that is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from a disability, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business and implements of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The definition of "motor vehicle" may differ between states, and vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove that they bought a defective new car or truck.

The definition of a government motor vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch via purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or activity's transportation function. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety department. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle that are owned by the commissioners court of a county having more than one million.