motor vehicle accident attorneys Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers
While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are some commonalities across the country in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicles, as well as related legal questions & Answers.
The nationals of the countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.
Vehicles imported by non-residents
Non-residents who are planning to import their personal cars must have them fully documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents covering the vehicle. The documents pertaining to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is shared by several people each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white copy of the driver's license or ID card should also accompany it. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.
To be legally titled an import vehicle, it must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each automobile must place the label on each vehicle stating that it meets these requirements.
Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import vehicles that do not comply with these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.
Imported Racing Vehicles
The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are similarities across the country in the process of registering a vehicle and obtaining an driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and other equipment. This includes motor sport-related rules and regulations.
If you are planning to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily race-related.
You'll require a CAMS license and proof that you have participated in motorsports, and have a valid need for a car. Additionally, you must satisfy other requirements to be compliant, such as the use of child restraints 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 entry and doesn't have any features that would make it unsafe or not suitable for use on highways and roads. You will need to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you'll submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle is cleared through customs.
Vehicles Imported for Touring
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 automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or less without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT 7 upon entry.
Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to customs duty as well as 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax from 15% to 100% depending on piston displacement using their book value as their base. Additionally, spare parts sent along with the vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the vehicle must be present in the presence of a person.
Vehicles imported for commercial use
The law defines a "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting people or property, and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person who has handicap, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the farming or operation and also implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks or motor vehicle accident Lawyers tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The definition can differ among states, and vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemptions are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.
The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicles. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove that they purchased the wrong vehicle or truck.
A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation function of an agency or the activity. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. It also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters and the vehicles of the commissioners court of the county of more than 1 million inhabitants.