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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

The 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 wish to import their own vehicles should ensure they have the documentation to avoid additional fees. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certificate of origin, and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. All documents pertaining the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by several individuals Each signature has to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be included with it. If motor vehicle accident attorney whittier don't have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

To be legally entitled an import vehicle, it must comply with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require specifically that motor vehicles not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every vehicle be branded by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't comply with 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.

Vehicles Imported for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are universalities across the country when it comes down to registering vehicles and obtaining an driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sports-related rules and regulations.

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

To be eligible for this program, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license as well as prove your past motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You must also satisfy other requirements for compliance, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not permit you to import a race car into the US unless it is racing at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or not suitable for use on roads and highways. You must make sure to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.





Imported Vehicles for Touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have ratified the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or shorter without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and HS-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as being subject to an ad valorem rate that can range from 15% up to 100% based on piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of moving property or people and that is driven by power other than muscular force (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming enterprise or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition could differ slightly in different states, and any vehicles that are not eligible for exemption are subject to registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove that they bought a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

The definition of a government motor vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch through purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or organization's transportation function. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. In addition, the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million.