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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary according to state, there are certain similarities across the United States in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you can find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicle lawsuit vehicles as in addition to related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars must make sure they have the documents needed to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain 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 attached to it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the 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. Particularly DOT standards demand that motor vehicle attorney vehicles less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each automobile must place an identification label to each vehicle that indicates that it is in compliance with these requirements.

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

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws for motor vehicle settlement vehicles vary from state to state, however there are a number of commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, as well as several motor sport related regulations.

If you intend to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for vehicles that are imported permanently or temporarily used for racing purposes.

To be eligible for this program, you'll need to have a CAMS license and proof of your motorsport experience and a legitimate need for the car. You will also have to satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not grant you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it was race-ready during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads or highways. You must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or less and without needing to get license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate ranging from 15% to 100% based on piston displacement. Additionally, spare parts sent along with the vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle compensation vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property and which is powered by something other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming operation, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon tracks or rails and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any 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 legal vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturing companies, Motor Vehicle Legal moving firms, and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove they bought a vehicle that was defective.

The definition of a government motor vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease, and used in the performance of the transportation purpose. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety department. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than one million.