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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are some commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles and related legal questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. license plates or driver's licenses. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their own cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. Additionally 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 do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

In order for an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and motor vehicle Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand specifically that motor vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to the safety and bumper requirements, and that each automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import vehicles that do not meet the standards and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from one state to another, however there are some commonalities across the country when it comes to registering an automobile and getting a driving license. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and other equipment, which includes various motor Motor Vehicle sport related requirements.

The first step in importing racing vehicles to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only required for cars that are imported for a long time or if they are being temporarily used in racing.

You'll need an CAMS license and proof that you have participated in motorsports and have a genuine need for a car. You must also meet a number of other requirements for compliance, including the installation of child restraint points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless the car is racing at the time of entry and does not contain any features that make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways or roads. You must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you'll be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle passes through customs.

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 show EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT the HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subjected to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate that ranges from 15% to 100%, based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts supplied with the imported automobile. Personal presence of the owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device that is capable of transporting people or property and which is driven by power other than muscular force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming operation, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any vehicle that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove they bought a defective car or truck.

A government motor vehicle accidents vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and utilized to carry out the transport function of an agency or business. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. In addition, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of firefighters or police officers, and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court in a county with more than 1 million people.