Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are a few commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws pertaining to motor vehicles as well as related legal questions & 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 are planning to import their personal vehicles should have them documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents covering the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black and white copy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards require that heath motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicles less than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix an inscription on each vehicle stating that it meets these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import vehicles that do not meet the standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to another, however there are commonalities across the country when it comes to registering the vehicle and getting an driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including a number of motor sport related requirements.

The first step in importing race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily race-related.

You'll require a CAMS license and proof that you've competed in motorsports, and have a valid desire to own a car. Additionally, you must satisfy other requirements for compliance, including fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not contain any features that make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year or the validity of their documents. However, they are required to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

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

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property and is driven by power other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from an impairment, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agriculture business, as well as implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The definition may vary slightly between states, and 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 new and used dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they bought a defective new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to perform the transportation function of an agency or Vimeo business. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, as well as vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county with more than one million.