Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are some commonalities across the country in terms of titling, registration and fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer, you'll find federal and state laws on Normandy Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit vehicles as in addition to related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must approve the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. This documentation includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle must 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 photocopy of their current driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To be legally entitled an import vehicle, it must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards demand that motor vehicles not more than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each one affix a label on each such vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wants to import a car which does not meet the standards, they'll need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Vehicles Imported for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles are different from one state to another, but there are a few commonalities across the nation when it comes down to registering vehicles and obtaining a driving license. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and other equipment, which includes various motor sport related requirements.

If you are planning to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is a requirement for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

To be eligible for this, you'll require a CAMS license and demonstrate your past motorsport participation and a genuine need for the vehicle. Additionally, you must satisfy a variety of other requirements for compliance, such as fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not allow you to import a race car into the US in the event that the car is racing at the time entry and doesn't possess any features that render it unsafe or unpractical for use on roads and highways. You must complete 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 ratified Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year, or the validity of their documents. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as with an ad valorem fee that ranges from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. Additionally spare parts that are shipped along with the vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The presence of the owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device that is capable of transporting people or property that is powered by something other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from disabilities; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming operation and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on tracks or rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that qualifies under the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other bridgeton motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle-related companies. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove that they bought a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to perform the transportation function of an agency, or business. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. It also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of firefighters or police officers, and vehicles owned the commissioners court of an area with more than one million residents.