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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ according to state, there are certain similarities across the country in regards to titling, registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicles and related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. A written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition, all documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they don't 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 meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require particularly that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be branded by the manufacturer as satisfying these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these requirements and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

Motor vehicle laws vary between states, however, there are some commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and other equipment, which includes many motor sports related requirements.

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

You'll need an CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports and that you have a legitimate desire to own a car. You will also have to satisfy other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.





The EPA will not permit you to import a race car into the US unless the car is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn't contain any features that make it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways and roads. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Vehicles for touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or the shorter period, without having to obtain license plates or driver's permits. However, motor vehicle accident lawyer norman must to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as well with an ad valorem fee 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 car owner must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting property or persons and is powered by something other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person who has a disability; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition could differ slightly between states, and the vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle related businesses. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they bought an unreliable new car or truck.

The definition of a"government" vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease, and used to fulfill an agency's or organization's transportation purpose. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Furthermore, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of firefighters or police officers, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of an area with more than 1 million people.