Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ from state to state, there are certain similarities across the United States in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. Here on LawServer you can find federal and state laws governing east moline motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

The nationals of countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. Written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they don't be subject to additional duties. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. In addition all documents that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people Each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy 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 the documents.

In order for an imported vehicle to be legally registered in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards demand specifically that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every vehicle be labeled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a nonresident wishes to import vehicles that do not meet these requirements then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles differ from one state to another, however there are a few similarities across the country in the process of registering an automobile and getting an driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

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 used for racing purposes.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports and have a genuine need for a car. You will also need to satisfy other requirements to be compliant, Vimeo such as the fitting of child restraints and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it was race-ready at the time of entry and has features that make it unsafe or unsuitable to use on roads and highways. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their documents or vimeo the shorter period as long as they do not need license plates or driver's permits. However, they are required to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are supplied with the imported automobile. The owner of the car must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting persons or property, and which is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agricultural business and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. Every state's law may differ from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with 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 division regulates used and new 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 to those who can prove they bought a vehicle that was defective.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police or firefighters, and vehicles owned the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million inhabitants.