Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are a few similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles and related legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who wish to import their own vehicles must ensure that they have all required documentation to avoid paying additional duties. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by multiple people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card should be attached to it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

To be legally titled, an imported vehicle must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix an inscription on each vehicle that states that it meets these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these requirements then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are some universalities across the country when it comes to the registration of vehicles and obtaining the required driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are enforced 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 lawyer sport related requirements.

The first step in importing race cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only required for cars which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or temporarily entered into racing.

To be eligible for this, you'll require an CAMS license as well as prove your previous motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You will also have to meet other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is racing at the time of entry and does not have any features that would make it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways or roads. You must mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year, or the validity of their documents. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and HS-7 upon entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of pistons using their book value as a base. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. Personal presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property, and which is propelled using power other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agricultural business, as well as implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, 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 and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle division regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, motor Vehicle accident lawyers and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they purchased a vehicle or truck.

The definition of a"government" vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used to fulfill the transportation function. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of firefighters or police officers, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in the county of more than 1 million residents.