Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are a few similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal and state laws governing motor vehicle lawyers vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars must make sure they have the documentation to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. In addition, all documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card must be accompanied by it. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To be legally titled, an imported vehicle must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards demand that motor vehicles that are less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each one affix the label on each vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that is not in compliance with the requirements, they'll have to submit EPA form HS-7 and Motor Vehicle Legal DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicle compensation vehicles differ from state to state, however, there are some similarities across the nation in 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 vehicles and other equipment, which includes various motor vehicle lawyers sport related regulations.

The first step in importing racing vehicles into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is a requirement for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily race-related.

To be eligible for this, you will require an CAMS license and demonstrate your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the vehicle. You will also need to comply with a range of other compliance requirements, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not permit you to import a race car into the US unless the car is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't contain any features that make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You will need to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or less as long as they do not need license plates or driver's licenses. However, they are required to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of the piston 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 the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property that is propelled by power other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person who has a disability; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

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

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to perform the transportation function of an agency or operation. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety department. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county that has more than 1 million.