Motor Vehicle Legal Terms Motor vehicle laws vary greatly from state to state In general, the laws assume that the vehicle was operated with the owner's consent Laws that enhance penalties, making revocation automatic or the targeting of social hosts have mixed impact on mortality rates Mandatory education, alcohol treatment, and interlock devices all have little effect Legal Definitions State laws regulate the legal terms used by motor vehicles The various federal definitions used for matters pertaining to national requirements for fuel economy and licensing standards for commercial vehicle drivers serve mostly for administrative purposes, and do not apply to states determining their own registration classifications These classifications for vehicles determine whether a driver must be granted a specific license to operate certain types of vehicles The state laws define the terms "automobile," "light truck" and many others As an example light truck, it's any motor vehicle that has a manufacturer-rated carrying capacity less than 7,500 pounds This excludes panel delivery trucks as well as pickup trucks This is any vehicle or combination that is designed to transport people or property within its own structure This includes manufactured homes and trailers Wheel chair is a conveyance with wheels utilized by people who are physically disabled and unable to walk A moped is a motor vehicle with not more than three wheels that come into contact with the ground It is able to travel at a speed of not more than 35 miles per hour A pedal-driven vehicle, is driven by the driver sitting on the top Someone who holds the legal title to a vehicle is called the owner Traffic Laws Typically, every state has its own set of motor vehicle laws, which encompass everything from registration process to insurance requirements The statutes also cover the types of vehicles that are covered by the law Some of these laws are similar across states, while other laws differ significantly For instance, there are laws that restrict the number of people that can be transported in the pedicab There are laws that ban reckless driving on certain types of roads, like parking areas https//vimeocom/706743214 who operates a motor vehicle in violation of these laws can be penalized and liable for fines for violating these laws The penalties vary from being able to have your driver's license suspended to being required to attend a traffic school One of the most important laws in a state regarding automobiles is that it governs the speed limits that are set on roadways In New York, for example it stipulates that the speed limit for commercial vehicle is similar to that of an automobile It also defines a "motor vehicle" as any vehicle or any other device that moves mechanically and is used on a highway to transport people or property, or for other commercial purposes It excludes semitrailers and trailers such as coaches or house trailers and vehicles that operate only upon rails or tracks snowmobiles, all-terrain and snowmobiles and motorized mobility aids used by people with disabilities, and self-propelled hay harvesting machines and tractors Insurance A motor vehicle insurance policy is a contract between the insured and the insurer which provides insurance against financial loss on account of liability for bodily injuries or property damage to a third-party arising from ownership or operation, maintenance, or use of a covered vehicle It can also provide protection against physical damage to the vehicle itself It must contain the name and address of the named insured as well as the coverage provided by the policy It also includes the premium charged and the time for the duration of the policy in effect, and the responsibility limits It should also contain an agreement or a statement that insurance is provided thereunder in conformity with the coverage set out in the policy, in relation to bodily injury or property damage, or death, and is subject to all of the provisions of this chapter The language of the motor vehicle policy could be confusing for anyone, and Duncanville law firms typically suggest that individuals read the sample policy to understand the terms One of the most frequent confusions is the definition of "motor vehicle" This phrase is used in a number of statutes that govern the registration of vehicles as well as financial responsibility laws Examples of coverages covered under an insurance policy are commercial auto insurance for vehicles used for business, commercial establishments or for employment, activities, or occupations carried out for profit, and automobile liability coverage, which includes PIP MP,, and uninsured or underinsured driver coverage UM/UIM This type of insurance is required by many states Permissive Use It is essential to know what insurance coverage is available if someone other than the named insured or a family member is driving your vehicle and causes an accident This is called permissive usage The specific terms of your insurance policy could vary, but most large car insurers offer this type of coverage It is important to keep in mind that you are liable for any damages caused by a driver with your permission Permission can be express or implied, and usually does not have to be recorded In determining whether there is implied consent, courts will examine the relationship between the parties, their past conduct and usage of the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding a specific driving incident A court will also look at if any restrictions were placed on the permissive usage and if slight deviation from the date, time, and location limitations of the permission would violate these restrictions Remember that adding a driver to your auto insurance policy could increase the cost of your insurance, since the vehicle becomes more difficult to insure It is important to evaluate your options prior to lending out your vehicle to anyone else Contact Jerry for a no-cost insurance quote and discuss the terms of your policy