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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are some similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver’s licenses. On LawServer you’ll find both federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as in addition to 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. driver’s licenses and license plates. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles must ensure that they have all required documentation to avoid paying additional taxes. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certification of origin and other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle need to 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 current 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 be legally entitled an imported vehicle, it must meet the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards demand that motor vehicles less than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix the label on each vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that doesn’t comply with these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws for nashville motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles vary from state to state however, there are some commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, as well as several motor sport related requirements.

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

To be eligible to be eligible, you’ll be required to possess an CAMS license as well as prove your previous participation in motorsports and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You also need to 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 it is in a race configuration at the time entry and doesn’t have any features which make it unsafe or unpractical for use on roads and highways. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and submit an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Touring Vehicles

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 passports, whichever is shorter as long as they do not need license plates or driver’s licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT H-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT, and ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on the displacement of pistons using their book value as a base. In addition, spare parts sent with the imported automobile are also subject to these taxes and duties. Personal presence of the car-owner is necessary.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines “schenectady motor vehicle accident attorney vehicle” as every vehicle that can transport property or people and that is propelled by power other than muscular force and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person with a disability; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming business tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state’s licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle department of the state oversees dealers of second-hand and new vehicles as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove that they purchased the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation function of an agency or activity. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. In addition, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of firefighters or police officers, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of an area with more than one million residents.