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What Motor Vehicle Case Experts Want You To Be Educated
Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary according to state, there are certain similarities across the country in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find both federal and state laws on motor vehicles as well as related legal questions and answers.


Nationals of countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their cars must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. This documentation includes the bill of delivery, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle need to 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 photocopy of their current driver's license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

In order for an imported car to be legally entitled in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards demand that motor vehicles less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each one affix an identification label to each vehicle stating that it meets these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If motor vehicle accident attorneys peoria -resident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn't meet the standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

Motor vehicle laws vary between states, however, there are some commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, as well as many motor sports related requirements.

If you are planning to import cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for cars that will be permanently imported or temporarily raced.

In order to qualify to be eligible, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license and demonstrate your past motorsport participation and a real need for the vehicle. You will also have to satisfy other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is race-ready during its entry and lacks features that render it unsafe or unsuitable to use on roads and highways. You must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted 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 have to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. In addition spare parts that are shipped in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. Personal presence of the car-owner is essential.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and that is powered by something other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agricultural business and also implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The laws of each state may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that is deemed to be in compliance with 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 is responsible for regulating dealers who sell second-hand and new cars, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that is acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to carry out the transportation purpose of an agency or operation. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety Department. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers, ambulances, and vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million.

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