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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary according to state, there are certain similarities across the country regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. driver's licenses or license plates. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their personal cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, and any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle should 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 don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

To allow motor vehicle accident lawsuit roswell imported car to be legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards require that motor vehicles less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix the label on each vehicle stating that it satisfies these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wishes to import an automobile that does not meet these requirements, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from one state to another, however there are some commonalities across the country when it comes to the registration of an automobile and getting an driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sports-related rules and regulations.

If you plan to import cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily race-related.

In order to qualify for this, you will require an CAMS license and proof of your motorsport experience and a real need for the vehicle. Additionally, you must meet other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not grant 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 to use on roads and highways. You will have to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or less as long as they do not need license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem taxes ranging from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as the base. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts sent with the imported auto. The car owner must be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use


The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting people or property and which is powered by something other than muscular power that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming operation or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition can differ in different states, and any vehicles that do not qualify for exemption are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove they bought the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and utilized to carry out the transport function of an agency or operation. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million inhabitants.

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