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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are 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 governing motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars should have them documented to ensure that they don’t incur additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by a number of people, each signature needs 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 possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

To be legally entitled an import vehicle, it must conform to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards demand that motor vehicles less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each automobile must place a label on each such vehicle stating that it meets these standards.

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

Vehicles Imported for Racing

The laws for motor vehicles vary from state to state but there are many commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are controlled by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and equipment. This includes motor sports-related rules and regulations.

If you plan to import cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is a requirement for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily race-related.

In order to qualify to be eligible, you’ll need to have a CAMS license as well as prove your previous motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the car. You must also meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import race cars into the US unless the car is race-ready at the time of entry and does not have any features that would make it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways and roads. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists who are visiting 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 passports or the shorter period as long as they do not need license plates or driver’s permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT 7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of pistons using their book value as their base. In addition, spare parts sent in the import vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines “motor vehicle” as every device capable of transporting property or people and that is powered by something other than muscular force, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming operation tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon tracks or rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition of “kings mountain motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle” may differ in different states, and any vehicles that do not qualify for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of each state.

The state’s motor vehicle division regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove they bought a vehicle that was defective.

The definition of a”government” bonney Lake motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch through purchase, excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and used to carry out an agency’s or activity’s transport function. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court in the county of more than 1 million inhabitants.