Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While little Chute motor vehicle accident Attorney vehicle laws differ by state, there are some commonalities across the country in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles must ensure they have all the documentation to avoid additional charges. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is shared by multiple 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 don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.

To be legally titled, an imported vehicle must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer to meet these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that isn't in compliance with requirements, they will need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from one state to another, but there are some similarities across the country when it comes to the registration of a vehicle and obtaining a driving license. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, as well as many hamilton motor vehicle accident attorney sports related requirements.

The first step to import race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing.

You'll require an CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports and have a real need for a car. You will also have to satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

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

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their vehicles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or the shorter period without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as a base. Additionally, spare parts sent in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. Personal presence of the car-owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting people or property and which is powered by something other than muscular force, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person who has a disability; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming business or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which are solely driven by 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 statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies, as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove they bought an unreliable vehicle or truck.

The definition of a"government motor" vehicle is any vehicle purchased by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used to carry out the transportation purpose. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. Additionally the term is defined as any vehicle that is used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of the county of more than one million residents.