How Motor Vehicle Case Changed My Life For The Better
Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers
While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as in addition to related legal questions and answers.
Nationals from countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses or license plates. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.
Vehicles imported by nonresidents
Non-residents who want to import their personal vehicles must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. All documents related 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 valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.
To be legally titled an imported vehicle, it must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor vehicles less than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each such automobile affix an identification label to each vehicle that states that it meets these requirements.
Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that does not meet these standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to obtain prior approval from EPA.
Vehicles Imported for Racing
The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from state to another, but there are similarities across the country in the process of registering the vehicle and getting the required 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 motor sport-related requirements.
The first step in importing a racing car into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is required for cars that are imported for a long time or if they are being temporarily used in racing.
In order to qualify for this, you'll be required to possess an CAMS license and prove your past motorsport participation and a genuine need for the vehicle. You will also need to meet a number of other requirements to be compliant, such as fitment of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.
The EPA won't allow you to import a race car into the US in the event that the car is racing at the time entry and doesn't have any features that would make it unsafe or unpractical for use on highways or roads. You must make sure to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.
Imported Touring Vehicles
Motorists traveling to the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted 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 less without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and DOT HS-7 upon entry.
Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to Customs duty, 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax of 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston using their book value as their base. Additionally spare parts included in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The car owner must be present in the presence of a person.
Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes
The law defines a "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in the operation or farming business and also implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The laws of each state may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that meets the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.
The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they bought a vehicle or truck.
motor vehicle accident attorneys pleasanton is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and used to carry out the transportation function of an agency, or the activity. This includes both domestic fleets as well as foreign ones. Additionally the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of the county of more than 1 million inhabitants.
