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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws differ by state, there's certain similarities across the country regarding 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 ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars to the United States without U.S. license plates and driver's licenses. Written approval from DOT is required in advance.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who wish to import their own cars must ensure 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 pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents related to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is jointly owned by a number of people each signature has to be notarized. A black and white copy of the driver's license or ID card must be included with it. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must be in compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require that vehicles not older than 25 years conform to safety and bumper standards and that every vehicle be labelled by the manufacturer as meeting these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wishes to import a car that is not in compliance with the requirements, they'll have to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

Motor vehicle laws differ from state to state, however, there are a lot of similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including several motor sport related regulations.

If you are planning to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily used for racing purposes.

In order to qualify for this program, you'll need to have a CAMS license and prove your motorsport experience and a genuine need for the vehicle. You must also meet a number of other requirements for compliance, such as fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not permit you to import a race car into the US in the event that the car 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 check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter prior to the time your vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive their vehicles 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 the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are sent with the imported auto. The car owner must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting property or persons and is powered by something other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by an individual with a disability; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming operation or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of "motor vehicle" may differ between states, and vehicles that aren't eligible for exemptions are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies as well as other businesses that are related to motor vehicles. motor vehicle accident law firm plano oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or business. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services through the Public Safety department. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters, ambulances, and vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county that has a population greater than 1 million.