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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary by state, there's certain commonalities across the nation regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws pertaining to motor vehicles and related legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents

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

To allow an imported car to be legally entitled in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require specifically that vehicles not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't 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 get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicle case vehicles are different from one state to another, however there are a few universalities across the country in the process of registering vehicles and obtaining a driving license. Driver, Motor Vehicle Compensation highway and vehicle safety are also subject to 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 various motor sport related regulations.

The first step to import a racing car into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is for cars which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or that are temporarily entered into racing.

You'll need an CAMS license and proof that you have participated in motorsports and have a real need for a car. You must also meet a number of other requirements for compliance, Motor Vehicle Compensation such as the use of child restraints 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 race-ready at the time entry and doesn't have any features which make it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways and roads. You will have to select the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles

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 time of one year or the validity of their documents. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT HS-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts shipped with the vehicle imported. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is necessary.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle law vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who suffers from a disability, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business and implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. 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 requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle lawyers vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating dealers of second-hand and new vehicles and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle compensation (from Yesonoil) vehicle related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove they purchased an unreliable new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to fulfill the transportation function of an agency, or activity. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, ambulances, and vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county having more than 1 million.