Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ by state, there are some commonalities across the country in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

The nationals of countries that have signed the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars must make sure they have the necessary documentation to avoid any additional fees. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual, each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and white copy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

To be legally entitled the vehicle that is imported must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand specifically that vehicles not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet the standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to another, but there are some universalities across the country when it comes down to registering an automobile and getting a driving license. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are also subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

The first step in importing race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only required for cars that will be imported permanently or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

To be eligible to be eligible, you'll need to have a CAMS license and prove your previous participation in motorsports and a genuine need for the car. You must also comply with a range of other requirements for compliance, including the fitting of child restraints and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is racing during its entry and lacks features that render it unsafe or unsuitable for use on streets and highways. You will need to select the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted 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. However, they are required to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate that ranges from 15% to 100% based on piston displacement. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "north kansas city motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property, and which is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person with a disability, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agriculture business as well as equipment of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks and (d), all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ 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 Inverness motor vehicle Accident lawsuit vehicle division of the state regulates dealers who sell second-hand and new cars and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle related companies. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they bought a defective new car or truck.

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