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Speak "Yes" To These 5 Motor Vehicle Case Tips
Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary by state, there are certain similarities across the United States in regards to titling, registration, fees, taxes, and drivers licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as related legal questions & Answers.

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

motor vehicle accident lawyer asheville Imported by Nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own vehicles must ensure they have all the documents needed to avoid additional duties. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certification of origin and other legal documents related to the vehicle. In addition the documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should be included with it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all paperwork.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must conform to 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 automobile must place an identification label to each vehicle that states that it meets these standards.

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

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles are different from one state to the next, but there are some commonalities across the nation when it comes down to registering the vehicle and getting a driving license. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are also enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.

If you intend to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for cars which will be imported for the duration of their ownership or temporarily entered into racing.

To be eligible for this, you will be required to possess an CAMS license and proof of your past motorsport participation and a real need for the car. You must also satisfy a variety of other compliance requirements, including the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not give you permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration during its entry and lacks features that render it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads or highways. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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 drive their cars in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or less as long as they do not need license plates or driver's permits. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and 7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem rate that can range from 15% up to 100%, based on the piston displacement. Additionally spare parts that are shipped with the imported vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting persons or property, and which 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 has an impairment, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or operation as well as equipment of husbandry or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks, and (d), all-terrain vehicles. The definition could differ slightly in different states, and any vehicles that are not eligible for exemption are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle related companies. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and used to carry out the transportation role of an agency or business. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police or firefighters, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million inhabitants.