Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are certain commonalities across the nation regarding titling registration, fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer, you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicles, as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can travel in their cars 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 non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certification of origin and other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black-and white copy of their valid driver's license or Motor vehicle accident law firms ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards require that Motor Vehicle Accident Law Firms vehicles that are less than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each one affix an identification label to each vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that does not comply with these standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

Motor vehicle laws vary from state to state however, there are a lot of similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related requirements.

The first step in importing race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily race-related.

In order to qualify for this program, you'll require an CAMS license and demonstrate your previous participation in motorsports and a legitimate need for the car. You must also meet a number of other requirements for compliance, such as fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA won't allow you to import a race car into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have ratified the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or the shorter period without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT 7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to customs duties 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. Additionally spare parts shipped with the imported automobile are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting persons or motor vehicle accident Law Firms property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the operation or farming business as well as equipment of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The definition could differ slightly among states, and vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove they purchased an unreliable new car or truck.

The definition of a"government" vehicle is any vehicle purchased by the executive branch via purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease, and used for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. In addition, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county having more than one million.