10 Motor Vehicle Case Related Projects That Can Stretch Your Creativity

Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ by state, there are some commonalities across the country in terms of titling, registration and fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal as well as state laws regarding cedar grove Motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles as well as related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have signed 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 authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their own cars should have them documented to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. Documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents related to the vehicle must 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 copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they don't have these documents a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.

To be legally titled, an imported vehicle must conform to 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 of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each vehicle affix an inscription on each vehicle that states that it meets these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not meet these requirements, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles to Race

The laws that govern motor vehicles differ from one state to the next, but there are a few commonalities across the nation when it comes to the registration of 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 national standards for vehicles and equipment, including various daytona beach motor vehicle accident attorney sport related regulations.

The first step to import race cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is required for vehicles that are imported for a long time or temporarily used for racing purposes.

You will need a CAMS license and proof that you've participated in motorsports and have a genuine desire for a car. You also need to meet other requirements to be compliant including fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import a race car into the US unless it is racing at the time of entry and does not possess any features that render it unsafe or not suitable for use on roads and highways. You must check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you'll be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle passes through customs.

Touring vehicles imported for touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their cars in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their documents or less, without having to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT H-7 upon entry.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to a 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as the basis. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. The presence of the owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property that is powered by a source other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming enterprise and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state is responsible for regulating used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective.

The definition of a"government" motor vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch via purchase, excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and used to carry out the transportation purpose. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. It also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety Department. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, as well as vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county having more than 1 million.