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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are a few similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.

The 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' permits. motor vehicle accident attorneys delaware written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. Documentation consists of the bill-of lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. In addition, all documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual, each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white photocopy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

In order for an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular, DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are less than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each automobile must place a label on each such vehicle stating that it meets these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import a vehicle which does not meet the requirements, they will need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to another, but there are a few commonalities across the nation when it comes to registering the vehicle and getting an official driving license. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

If you plan to import an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars which are imported for the long term or temporarily used for racing purposes.

You'll need a CAMS licence and to prove that you have participated in motorsports and have a real need for a vehicle. Additionally, you must meet other requirements to be compliant such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race car into the US unless it is in race configuration at the time of entry and has features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads and highways. You must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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


Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as the basis. In addition spare parts that are shipped with the imported automobile are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to mean any device 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 assistance mobility devices used by a person with handicap, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agricultural business, as well as implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove they bought a vehicle that was defective.

The definition of a"government" vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used in the performance of an agency's or activity's transport function. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. In addition the definition of the word is as any vehicle that is used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters ambulances, vehicles, and other vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million.

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