Motor Vehicle Legal Terms The laws that govern motor vehicles differ widely from state to state. In general, the laws assume that the vehicle was operated with the owner's consent. The mortality rates are affected by laws that increase penalties or make revocation automatic or specifically target social hosts. All of these measures, including mandatory education, alcohol treatment, and interlock devices, have a small effect. Legal Definitions The laws governing the legal definitions of motor vehicles are defined and determined at the state level. The various definitions used by the federal government for national requirements for fuel efficiency and licensing requirements for commercial vehicle drivers serve mainly for administrative reasons, and are not applicable to states that decide their own registration classifications. These vehicle classifications determine if a driver needs special licenses to operate certain kinds of vehicles. These state laws define terms like "automobile," "light trucks" and more. For instance, the definition of light truck encompasses any motor vehicle with the capacity of the manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of 7,500 pounds or less. This excludes panel delivery vehicles and pickup trucks. Also, it does not include any vehicle or combination of vehicles that is specifically designed to carry property or passengers wholly within its own structure, including trailers and manufactured homes. A wheel chair is a device with wheels. It is usually used by people who because of physical impairment cannot move around as pedestrians. A moped is an automobile with not more than three wheels on the ground, and that can travel at the speed of 35 miles per hour. A pedicab is a vehicle driven by a driver who is sitting on it. The owner of an automobile is the person who is the legal owner. Traffic Laws Typically, every state has its own set of motor vehicle law that deal with everything from the registration process to insurance requirements. These laws also cover the types of vehicles covered by law. While some of these laws are similar between states, others are quite different. For instance, there are laws that limit the number of people one can carry in a pedicab. There are also laws that prohibit reckless driving on certain types of roads, including parking lots. If you do not follow these laws, you could be punished with a fine and/or a penalty. The penalties could vary from having your driver's licence suspended or being required to attend a traffic school. The law that governs speed limits on roads is among the most important laws that states have. In New York for example, the speed limit is the same for commercial vehicles and automobiles. The law also defines the definition of a "motor vehicle." This covers every description of a carriage or other device that is powered by mechanical force and used on a public highway for the transportation of persons or property, or for any other commercial use. It excludes semitrailers and trailers such as coaches or house trailers or vehicles that only run upon rails or tracks snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicle, motorized mobility assist devices operated by a person with disabilities, and self-propelled hay harvesting machines and tractors. Insurance A motor vehicle insurance policy is an agreement between the insured and the insurer that covers financial loss due to the risk of bodily injury or death, property damage to a third party that arises from ownership, operation, maintenance or use of a covered vehicle. It can also cover physical damage to the vehicle. It must contain the name and address of the named insured as well as the coverage provided by the policy, the premium charged therefor, the period of its effectiveness, and the limits of liability. It should also include an agreement or endorsement that states that the insurance offered is in accordance with the coverage specific to bodily injury, death or property damage. The language of the motor vehicle policy could be confusing for anyone, and Duncanville law firms usually recommend that an individual review an example policy to comprehend the terms. One of the biggest confusions is the definition of "motor vehicle". This phrase appears in many statutes that govern the registration of vehicles and financial responsibility laws. Examples of coverages under a motor policy include commercial auto coverage for vehicles used for business, commercial establishments or activities, employment, or jobs conducted to earn money, automobile liability coverage, which comprises PIP, MP, and uninsured and underinsured driver coverage (UM/UIM). Many states require drivers to have this type of insurance. Permissive Use It is important to know 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 known as permissive use and the specifics of your policy can vary, but in general most major car insurance companies provide this type of insurance. It is important to keep in mind that you are accountable for any damage caused by a driver who has your permission. Permission may be either implied or explicit, and does not usually require a written document. In determining whether there is implied permission, courts examine the relationship between the parties; their past conduct and usage of the vehicle; and circumstances surrounding the particular driving event that is in question. A court also will consider the extent to which restrictions were imposed on the permissive use. It will also consider if a minor deviation from the time, place, and usage limitations of the initial permission would violate the restrictions. Be aware that adding a driver to your insurance is likely to result in your premium going up since it makes the car more risky to insure. Therefore, it is important to weigh your options carefully before lending your vehicle out to anyone else. If you aren't sure whether to add someone else to your policy or not, contact Jerry to discuss the specific terms of your insurance policy. Get a free quote.