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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicle lawsuit vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. Written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal cars must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they don't incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by multiple people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be attached to it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor Motor Vehicle Legal vehicles less than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards, Motor Vehicle Legal and that the manufacturer 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 the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that does not meet the standards, they must to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state but there are many commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including a number of motor sport related regulations.

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

To be eligible for this, you will require an CAMS license and proof of your previous motorsport participation and a real need for the car. You must also meet other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not allow you to import a race car into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of entry and does not possess any features that render it unsafe or unpractical for use on roads and highways. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the 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. However, they have to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

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

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle attorneys vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting people or property, and which is driven by power other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who suffers from an impairment, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or operation and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The definition could differ slightly between states, and vehicles that are not eligible for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial accountability laws of the state.

The motor vehicle case vehicle division of the state governs dealers of second-hand and new vehicles and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle related companies. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they bought an unreliable new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or the activity. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. Additionally the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than one million.