공지사항

Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicle settlement vehicles vary by state, there are certain similarities across the country regarding titling registration, fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified the 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 prior to.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by several people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card should be accompanied by it. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

To allow an imported vehicle to be legally registered in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require particularly that motor vehicle settlement vehicles that are not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper standards and that each vehicle be labelled by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that does not comply with these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicle legal vehicles are different from one state to another, however there are some commonalities across the nation in the process of registering a vehicle and motor vehicle legal obtaining the required driving license. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are also enforced by 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 various motor sport related regulations.

The first step in importing racing vehicles to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is a requirement for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily entered for racing.

In order to qualify for this, you will be required to possess an CAMS license and demonstrate your previous participation in motorsports and a genuine need for the vehicle. You also need to meet other compliance requirements like fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is race-ready at the time entry and doesn't possess any features that render it unsafe or incompatible for use on roads and highways. You must make sure to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to customs duty as well as 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax of 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as the base. Additionally spare parts shipped along with the vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The car owner must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle claim vehicle" as every 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 a person who has disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming operation and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of "motor vehicle case vehicle" may differ between states, and the vehicles that are not eligible for exemptions are subject to the registration, licensing and financial accountability laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove they purchased a vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or Motor Vehicle Legal commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and utilized to carry out the transport function of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Furthermore, 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 excludes ambulances, private cars of firefighters or police officers, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of an area with more than 1 million inhabitants.