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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are some commonalities across the country in terms of titling, registration and fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you can find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as and related legal questions and answers. The nationals of countries that have ratified 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 Non-residents who are planning to import their own vehicles must ensure they have all the documents needed to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certification of origin and other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents that pertain to the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature has to be notarized with a black-and-white photocopy of their current driver's 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 entitled the vehicle that is imported must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. Particularly DOT standards require that motor vehicles not more than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each vehicle affix a label on each such vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards. EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wishes to import a vehicle that is not in compliance with the requirements, they will need to submit EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA. Imported Racing Vehicles The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to another, but there are some universalities across the country when it comes to the registration of a vehicle and obtaining a driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for cars and other equipment. This includes motor sports-related requirements. If you intend to import an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for vehicles that are being permanently imported or temporarily race-related. You'll require a CAMS licence and to prove that you have competed in motorsports and have a genuine desire to own a car. You will also have to meet other requirements to be compliant such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate. The EPA will not give you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is racing 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 of the HS-7 form that you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle is cleared through customs. Imported Touring Vehicles 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 automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their passports or shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 and HS-7 upon entry. Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. In addition, spare parts sent with the imported vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. Personal presence of the car-owner is essential. Vehicles imported for commercial purposes The law defines “motor vehicle” as every device that is capable of moving property or people and that is powered by a source other than muscular power (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by an individual with disabilities; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming operation and implements of husbandry or snow plowing; © vehicles which operate solely on tracks or rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The definition may vary slightly in different states, and any vehicles which do not meet the criteria for exemption are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state. The state's motor vehicle division regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a vehicle that was defective or a truck. motor vehicle accident lawyer mount vernon of a government motor vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used in the performance of an agency's or activity's transport purpose. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. In addition, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles owned by firefighters or police officers ambulances, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county having more than 1 million.