What Motor Vehicle Case Experts Want You To Know

Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ by state, there's certain commonalities across the nation in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find both federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles, as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses or license plates. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their own cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certification of origin and other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. Additionally, all documents pertaining 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 should also accompany it. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand that vehicles not older than 25 years old, conform to the safety and bumper requirements and that each vehicle be branded by the manufacturer as satisfying these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that is not in compliance with the standards, they must to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Vehicles Imported for Racing

emmett motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle laws differ between states, however, there are some similarities across the nation regarding registration of vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. 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 requirements.

The first step to import racing cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that will be imported permanently or that are temporarily entered into racing.

In order to qualify for this, you will need to have an CAMS license and demonstrate your motorsport experience and a legitimate need for the car. Additionally, you must satisfy other compliance requirements, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a race car into the US unless it is racing at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for 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 Vehicles for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year, or the validity of their documents. However, they must to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of pistons using their book value as the basis. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts included in the imported vehicle. The presence of the owner is essential.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "el dorado motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle" as any device that is capable of moving property or people and that is driven by power other than muscular force (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person who has a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming operation and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Every state's law may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates dealers of second-hand and new vehicles and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they bought a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

A government Yoakum Motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to perform the transportation function of an agency, or the activity. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, as well as vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county with a population greater than 1 million.