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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are a few similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver’s licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as well as 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 cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading the certificate of origin and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black and white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they do not have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

In order for an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each automobile must place the label on each vehicle that states that it meets these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not meet the standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws that govern motor vehicles are different from one state to another, but there are some universalities across the country in the process of registering a vehicle and obtaining a 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 vehicles and other equipment. This includes elmwood park motor vehicle accident law firm sport-related standards.

The first step in importing racing vehicles to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only required for cars that will be permanently imported or temporarily raced.

You’ll require an CAMS licence and to prove that you’ve competed in motorsports and have a real need for a vehicle. You must also satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless the car is racing at the time entry and doesn’t have any features which make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and provide an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles

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

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston using their book value as the base. In addition spare parts that are shipped along with the vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The owner of the car must be present in person.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines a “lakemoor motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle” to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and which is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who has a disability, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agriculture 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 that are all-terrain. Each state’s statute may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that qualifies under the statutory definition is subject to the state’s licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove they purchased a defective new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that was acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is utilized to carry out the transport function of an agency, or operation. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. Furthermore, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of an area with more than 1 million inhabitants.