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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers Although motor vehicle laws vary by state, there's some commonalities across the country in terms of titling, registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer, you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers. The nationals of the countries that have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must accept the trip in writing. Vehicles imported by non-residents Nonresidents who wish to import their cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle must also be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person, 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 have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary documents. To allow an imported car to be legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each automobile must place the label on each vehicle that states that it meets these standards. EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wishes to import a vehicle that is not in compliance with the requirements, they'll have to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to get prior approval from EPA. Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from state to another, but there are universalities across the country when it comes down to registering vehicles and obtaining the required driving license. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sports-related standards. If you are planning to import an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is only required for cars that will be imported permanently or temporarily entered into racing. In motor vehicle accident attorney youngstown to qualify for this, you will be required to possess a CAMS license and proof of your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the vehicle. You will also need to meet a number of other requirements for compliance, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates. The EPA does not grant permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads and highways. You must check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter prior to when the vehicle is cleared. Imported Touring Vehicles for Touring Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or the shorter period and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. However, they are required to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the moment of entry. Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem rate which 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 taxes and duties. The owner of the car must be present in the presence of a person. Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes The law defines a “motor vehicle” to be any device capable of transporting persons or property, and is propelled using power other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who has a disability, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business and implements of snow plowing or husbandry, © vehicles that run only on rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles that run on all-terrain surfaces. The definition could differ slightly between states, and the vehicles that do not qualify for exemption 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 businesses related to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a defective new car or truck. The definition of a”government motor” vehicle is any vehicle that is acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or activity's transport purpose. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. Furthermore, the term is defined as any vehicle that is used by the department of public safety in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles used by police officers or firefighters ambulances, as well as vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county having a population greater than 1 million.