Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers
While the laws regarding
Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuits vehicles vary according to state, there are certain similarities across the country in terms of titling, registration and fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer you'll find the federal and state laws governing
motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicles as and related legal questions and answers.
Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their vehicles to the United States without U.S. license plates and driver's licenses. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.
Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents
Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles must ensure they have all the documents needed to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents related to the vehicle. All documents pertaining the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person, each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.
To be legally titled the vehicle that is imported must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years old, conform to the safety and bumper requirements and that every vehicle be labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying these requirements.
EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that does not meet the standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to receive prior approval from EPA.
Imported Racing Vehicles
The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are a few similarities across the country in the process of registering an automobile and getting an official driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards.
The first step to import race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is available for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily entered for racing purposes.
You'll need a CAMS license and proof that you have participated in motorsports and have a genuine need for a car. You will also need to satisfy a variety of other compliance requirements, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.
The EPA won't allow you to import race cars into the US unless it is in a race configuration 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 must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.
Imported Touring Vehicles for Touring
Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their automobiles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year or the validity of their documents. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT the HS-7 at the time of entry.
Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem tax that ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. Additionally spare parts that are shipped in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is required.
Vehicles imported for commercial use
The law defines a "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting people or property, and which is driven by power other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agriculture business as well as equipment of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. The definition may vary slightly between states, and the vehicles that are not eligible for exemption are subject to the registration, licensing and financial accountability laws of the state.
The
motor vehicle accident law firms vehicle department of the state oversees new and second-hand dealers as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle related businesses. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove they bought an unreliable vehicle or truck.
The definition of a"government" motor vehicle is any vehicle purchased by the executive branch through purchase or forfeiture, in excess, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized to fulfill an agency's or organization's transportation purpose. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Additionally, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition does not include private vehicles of police officers or firefighters ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle that are owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than one million.