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Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & Answers. Nationals of countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. license plates or driver's licenses. A written approval from DOT is required in advance. Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents Non-residents who wish to import their own vehicles should ensure they have the documentation to avoid additional charges. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certification of origin and other legal documents related to the vehicle. In addition, all 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 valid driver's license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents. In order for an imported vehicle to be legally titled in the United States, it must be in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require particularly that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every vehicle be identified by the manufacturer as satisfying these standards. Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wishes to import an automobile that does 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 receive prior approval from EPA. Imported Race Vehicles The laws that govern motor vehicles are different from one state to another, however there are commonalities across the nation when it comes down to registering a vehicle and obtaining an official driving license. Federal laws also regulate the safety of drivers, highways and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sports-related requirements. If you are importing an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is only required for cars that will be permanently imported or that are temporarily entered into racing. In order to qualify for this, you'll need to have a CAMS license and proof of your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the car. You also need to satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate. The EPA does not grant permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is racing during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on roads and highways. You will have to select the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle can be cleared by customs. Imported 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 period of validity of their documents or the shorter period and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry. Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to Customs duty of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate that can range from 15% up to 100% based on piston displacement. Additionally spare parts shipped with the imported vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The presence of the owner is required. 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 force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by an individual with a disability; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming operation tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; © vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that falls within the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration laws, as well as financial responsibility laws. The state's motor vehicle division regulates new and used dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove they bought an unreliable vehicle or truck. A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and used to perform the transportation function of an agency or business. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. motor vehicle accident attorney milwaukee includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety department. The definition excludes private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, ambulances, and vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than one million.