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The Reason Everyone Is Talking About Motor Vehicle Case This Moment
Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ according to state, there are certain similarities across the United States in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can travel in their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. A written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If motor vehicle accident attorney santa clarita 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 license or ID card. If they don't possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

In order for 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. In particular DOT standards require that motor vehicles less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each automobile must place a label on each such vehicle stating that it satisfies these requirements.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import a vehicle that does not meet the standards, they'll need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state however, there are a lot of commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and other equipment, which includes 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 available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily used for racing purposes.

In order to qualify for this, you will be required to possess an CAMS license and prove your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the vehicle. You also need to comply with other requirements for compliance like fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't allow you to import race cars into the US unless it is racing at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways or roads. You must select the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have ratified Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year or the validity of their documents. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of pistons using their book value as the base. Additionally spare parts shipped along with the vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the car must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting people or property and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person with handicap, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agricultural business and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. Every state's law may differ from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.


The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and second-hand dealers as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or truck.

The definition of a"government" vehicle is any vehicle purchased by the executive branch via purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease, and used to carry out an agency's or activity's transportation function. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. The term also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of the county of more than one million residents.

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