Notes

10 Motor Vehicle Case Tricks Experts Recommend
Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary by state, there's some commonalities across the country in regards to titling, registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find both state and federal laws on motor vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.


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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must ensure that they have all the necessary documentation to avoid any additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. motor vehicle accident law firm garland that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual Each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and white photocopy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required paperwork.

To allow an imported vehicle to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require specifically that motor vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to the safety and bumper requirements, and that each automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as meeting these standards.

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

Vehicles Imported for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to another, but there are universalities across the country when it comes down to registering the vehicle and getting a driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, including several motor sport related regulations.

The first step to import racing vehicles into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that will be imported permanently or that are temporarily entered into racing.

You will need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports, and have a valid need for a vehicle. Additionally, you must comply with other requirements for compliance such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not allow you to import a race car into the US in the event that the car is race-ready at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or unpractical for use on roads and highways. You must select the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle clears customs.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have ratified the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents, whichever is shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. However, they have to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry.

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

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport people or property and which is driven by power other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming enterprise and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails or tracks or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. 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 requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

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

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to fulfill the transportation role of an agency or activity. This encompasses 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 vehicles of police or firefighters, and vehicles owned the commissioners court in the county of more than one million residents.

My Website: https://vimeo.com/707143528