Motor Vehicle Legal Terms Motor vehicle laws vary greatly from state to state In general, the laws assume that the vehicle was operated by the owner's permission Laws that increase penalties such as making revocation automatic and targeting social hosts can have mixed effects on mortality rates Mandatory education, alcohol treatment and interlock devices all have little effect Legal Definitions State laws govern motor vehicle legal terms https//vimeocom/706761470 used by the federal government for national fuel economy standards and licensing requirements for commercial vehicle drivers are primarily administrative and do not apply when states determine their own registration classifications These classifications of vehicles determine whether a driver requires an exclusive license to operate certain types of vehicles The laws of the state define terms such as "automobile," "light trucks" and many more As an example, a light truck is any vehicle with a capacity of carrying less than 7,500 pounds This excludes panel delivery vehicles and pickup trucks This is any vehicle or combination of vehicles that is designed to carry passengers or property within its own structure This includes manufactured homes and trailers Wheel chairs are a vehicle with wheels that is utilized by people who physically disabled and are unable to walk A moped is a vehicle with only three wheels on the ground and that can travel at an maximum speed of 35 miles per hour A pedicab, also known as a pedal-driven vehicle, is driven by the person who sits on the top of it A person who owns the legal title to a vehicle is called its owner Traffic Laws Each state has its own motor vehicle laws that cover everything from registration process to insurance requirements The statutes also cover the types of vehicles covered by law Some of these laws are the same across states, however others differ greatly There are laws that limit the number of passengers that can be transported by pedicab There are laws that prohibit reckless driving on certain kinds of roads, such as parking lot If you violate the law, you could be punished with a fine and/or a penalty Penalties could include being unable to drive or having your license suspended, or the requirement to go to traffic school One of the most important laws a state has regarding vehicles is the speed limits that are put in place on the roads In New York for example, the speed limit is the same for commercial vehicles as it is for automobiles The law also defines the definition of the term "motor vehicle" This includes every description of carriage or other contrivance that is propelled by mechanical energy and used on a public highway for the transportation of people or property or for other commercial use The law does not include trailers, semitrailers and coaches, all-terrain and snowmobiles as well as motorized mobility assist devices used by disabled people and self-propelled corn as well as harvesting machines for hay Insurance A motor insurance policy for vehicles is an agreement between the insurer and insured that covers financial losses arising from the risk of bodily injury or death, property damage to a third party, arising from ownership operating, maintenance, or use of a covered car It may also provide protection against physical damage to the covered vehicle itself It must include the name and address of the named insured as along with the coverage provided by the policy It also includes cost of the policy, the period for the period for which the policy is in effect, as well as the limits of responsibility It should also include an agreement or a statement that the insurance coverage is provided in accordance with the coverage stated in respect of injuries to the body or death or property damage and is subject to all the rules of this chapter The language in the motor vehicle policy could be confusing to the average person Duncanville law firms will often suggest that individuals read the sample policy to understand the terms One of the biggest areas of confusion is the definition of the term "motor vehicle" The phrase is used often in statutes that govern the registration of vehicles and financial responsibility laws Examples of coverage under a motor vehicle policy include commercial auto insurance that covers vehicles used in connection with business, commercial establishments, jobs, or other activities that are conducted for profit; automobile liability insurance, which includes PIP and MP; and uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage UM/UIM A majority of states require drivers to carry this type of insurance Permitted Use It is essential to understand how insurance coverage works in the event that someone other than the named insured or a family member is driving your vehicle and causes an accident This concept is referred to as permissive use and the specifics of your policy could differ, but in general most large car insurance companies offer this type of insurance It is important to keep in mind that you are accountable for any damages caused by a driver who has your permission Permission can be expressed or implied and does not always have to be written In determining if there is implied consent, courts will consider the relationship between the parties, their previous behavior and the use of the vehicle, as well as the circumstances surrounding a particular driving incident A court will also look at whether any restrictions were made regarding the permissive use and if any minor deviations from the time, place and usage limitations of the original permission would violate of these limitations Be aware that adding an additional driver to your auto insurance policy will likely increase the cost of your insurance, since the vehicle becomes more risky to cover It is important to weigh your options before giving your vehicle over to other people Contact Jerry for a no-cost insurance quote and to discuss your policy's terms