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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are a few similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find both the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as and related legal questions and answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their personal cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by several people each signature must be notarized. A black and white copy of the driver's license or ID card must be accompanied by it. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

In order for 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 demand, in particular, that motor vehicles not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper requirements and that each vehicle be labelled by the manufacturer as satisfying these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle which does not meet the requirements, they will need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicle attorney vehicles vary from state to another, but there are a few universalities across the country when it comes down to registering a vehicle and obtaining a driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and security of vehicles. 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 requirements.

The first step in importing racing cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is required for vehicles which are imported for the long term or temporarily entered for racing.

You will need an CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports, and have a valid need for a vehicle. You must also satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is racing at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on streets and highways. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their automobiles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year or the validity of their documents. However, they are required to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem taxes ranging from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as their base. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts that are supplied with the imported automobile. Personal presence of the car-owner is required.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property and is driven by power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who suffers from an impairment, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks or Motor Vehicle Legal tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle settlement vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers, manufacturers, moving companies as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicle settlement vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

The definition of a"government" vehicle is any vehicle purchased by the executive branch via purchase, excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. Furthermore, the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle belonging to the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million.