All-Inclusive Guide To Motor Vehicle Case Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are a few commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles, as along with related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of the countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by nonresidents

Non-residents who are planning to import their own cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't have to pay additional taxes. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents covering the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle must also be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents.

To allow an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly, DOT standards require that motor vehicles not more 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 requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet the air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants 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.

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The laws governing motor vehicles are different from one state to another, but there are a few commonalities across the country when it comes down to registering vehicles and obtaining an driving license. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and other equipment, which includes several motor sport related regulations.


The first step to import race cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that will be imported permanently or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

You'll require an CAMS licence and to prove that you have competed in motorsports and that you have a legitimate desire for a car. You also need to satisfy other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

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

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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 must to show EPA forms such as AP3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

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

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting people or property, and is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who suffers from handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agricultural business and implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The definition could differ slightly among states, and vehicles that do not qualify for exemptions are subject to the licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or truck.

The definition of a"government" vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease, and used for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or activity's transportation purpose. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. It also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters and the vehicles of the commissioners court of an area with more than 1 million inhabitants.