Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are certain similarities across the United States in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles and related legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Nonresidents who wish to import their cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, Vimeo.Com as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by several individuals, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card should be accompanied by it. If they don't have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix an identification label to each vehicle that states that it meets these requirements.

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

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing orange city motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles differ from state to state but there are many commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.

If you are importing cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for vehicles that are being permanently imported or temporarily race-related.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports and have a real desire to own 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 won't grant you permission to import a race car into the US unless it was race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads and highways. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents, whichever is shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem taxes ranging from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as their base. In addition spare parts that are shipped with the imported vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the vehicle must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property and is propelled using power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who suffers from a disability, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agricultural business and also implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, 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 Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they purchased an unreliable new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing and used to carry out the transportation function of an agency, or the activity. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. Furthermore, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million.