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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles must ensure that they have all the documentation to avoid additional charges. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents that pertain 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 copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

To be legally entitled an import vehicle, it must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each vehicle affix the label on each vehicle that states that it meets these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If motor vehicle accident lawyer miami wants to import an automobile that does not comply with these standards they must file 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 Racing Vehicles

Motor vehicle laws vary between states, however there are a number of similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are enforced by 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.

The first step in importing a racing car to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

In order to qualify for this, you'll require a CAMS license and prove your motorsport experience and a genuine need for the vehicle. You will also need to comply with a range of other requirements to be compliant, such as the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not permit you to import race cars into the US unless it is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or unpractical for use on highways and roads. You must make sure to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles for Touring

Motorists visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have ratified the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their documents or the shorter period as long as they do not need license plates or driver's licenses. However, they have to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as with an ad valorem fee that can range from 15% up to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the vehicle must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or agriculture business and also implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective.


A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation role of an agency or the activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also encompasses any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of a county with more than one million residents.

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