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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are some similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On motor vehicle accident lawyer thousand oaks can find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. license plates or driver's licenses. Written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. In addition, all documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person, each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and-white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To allow an imported vehicle to be legally titled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards demand particularly that motor vehicles not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as meeting these standards.





Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that does not comply with these standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to another, but there are some similarities across the country when it comes to registering a vehicle and obtaining a driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sports-related rules and regulations.

If you plan to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is for cars that will be imported permanently or temporarily raced.

In order to qualify for this, you will be required to possess a CAMS license and prove your previous participation in motorsports and a genuine need for the vehicle. You will also have to satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration when it is entered and does not have features that make it unsafe or inadvisable 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 Touring Vehicles

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive their vehicles 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 present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty, 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston using their book value as the basis. Additionally spare parts shipped with the imported vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the car must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property, and which is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from a disability, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or operation and implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The definition can differ in different states, and any vehicles that do not qualify for exemption are subject to licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of the state.

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

The definition of a"government motor" vehicle includes any vehicle acquired 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 transport purpose. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. The term also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court in a county that has more than 1 million inhabitants.