Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

Nationals of countries that have signed the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must approve the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Nonresidents who wish to import their own cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature has to 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, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To allow an imported vehicle to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand particularly that vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper standards and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as satisfying these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must 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 moment of entry to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

jamesburg motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle laws vary from state to state, however, there are a lot of similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and other equipment. This includes motor sports-related requirements.

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 only available for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

You'll require an CAMS license and proof that you have competed in motorsports and have a genuine desire to own a car. You must also satisfy other compliance requirements, including the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical to use on roads and highways. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and submit an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted 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. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT 7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax 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. Personal presence of the car-owner is essential.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines "calimesa motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle" as every device that is capable of transporting property or persons and 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 with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming business or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on tracks or rails and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Every state's law may differ slightly from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

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

The definition of a"government" vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch via purchase, excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used to carry out the transportation purpose. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. Additionally the term is defined as any vehicle that is used by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million people.