Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle law vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are similarities across the country regarding titling, motor vehicle legal registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer, you'll find state and federal laws on motor vehicle litigation vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can travel in their cars to the United States without U.S. license plates and driver's licenses. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles should ensure they have the necessary documentation to avoid any additional duties. This documentation includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by multiple people Each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card should also accompany it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

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

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that isn't in compliance with requirements, they will need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

Motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, but there are many commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including a number of motor sport related regulations.

If you intend to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that will be permanently imported or temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you have competed in motorsports and have a genuine desire for a car. You will also need to comply with a range of other compliance requirements, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't allow you to import race cars into the US in the event that the car is racing at the time of entry and does not possess any features that render it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways or roads. You will have to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive their vehicles 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 the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well with an ad valorem fee which ranges from 15% to 100% based upon the piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts sent with the imported auto. The owner of the car must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of moving property or persons and is driven by power other than muscular force and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by an individual with a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming business tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails or tracks or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that qualifies under the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates new and used dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicles. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased a defective car or truck.

A government motor vehicle attorneys vehicle is any vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation role of an agency or business. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police officers or Motor Vehicle Legal firefighters, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of the county of more than 1 million people.