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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements, fees and taxes, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicle lawsuit vehicles and related legal questions & Answers.

The nationals of countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents wishing to import their own cars should ensure they have the documents needed to avoid additional taxes. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. All documents pertaining the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual, each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and-white photocopy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be legally entitled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards demand that motor vehicle case vehicles not more than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each such automobile affix a label on each such vehicle stating that it satisfies these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet 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 Race Vehicles

motor vehicle compensation vehicle laws vary from state to state, however there are a number of commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver 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 cars and equipment, as well as many motor sports related regulations.

If you intend to import an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily race-related.

You will need a CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports and have a real need for a vehicle. You must also satisfy a variety of other requirements to be compliant, such as the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical to use on roads and highways. You must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their 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 must to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based upon the piston displacement. Additionally, spare parts sent in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The car owner must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport people or property and which is propelled by power other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farm business tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on tracks or rails and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that qualifies under the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle litigation vehicle division of the state regulates dealers who sell second-hand and new cars, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor Motor Vehicle Legal vehicle related companies. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove that they purchased a defective new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle compensation vehicle is a vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation function of an agency, or activity. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Furthermore the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court in the county of more than 1 million inhabitants.