Rules by state

Rules for registering Kei cars in all 50 US states.

If your state does not allow registering a Kei car, see Out of state registration for potential loopholes

Alabama

Legality

Kei trucks are allowed on any road except for interstate highways. However, kei cars must be able to reach 25mph and are only allowed to reach maximum speeds of 25 mph.

Memorandum on Mini trucks

A mini-truck may only be issued a mini-truck license plate and cannot operate on interstate highways (§32-6-59). Minitruck license plates are ordered through the Plate Reservation and Ordering System (PROS) and will be mailed to the registrant.

For kei cars that aren't trucks, I can't find information. I will update this page once I find information.

Vehicle inspection

For Kei trucks, Alabama requires:

Title and registration

Kei trucks are exempt from titling and are only issued a mini-truck license plate

To register a kei truck, visit a local Vehicle licensing office

The license plate issuing official must physically inspect the vehicle to verify that the VIN on the vehicle is the same as the VIN on the documents required to register the vehicle

Source for the registration process.


Alaska

Legality

As of May 6, 2025, Kei vehicles are not street legal in Alaska, according to this Alaska statute.

[Source indicating issues registering]

Arizona

Legality

Kei cars are street legal in Arizona but titled as an ATV with a street sticker. According to the office memo below:

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION
OFFICE MEMO
T5474
July 17, 2009

TO: MVD ORGS
MVD T&R/DL THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS

FROM: STACEY K. STANTON
Division Director

SUBJECT: IMPORTED MIMI-TRUCKS

Effective immediately, the Division shall title and, when applicable, register imported mini-trucks as an off-road recreational motor (off-highway) vehicle.

An imported mini-truck, which is designed for off-road use, has been defined by the Division as an undersized truck without federal label. The mini-truck may variously be known as a Japanese mini-truck, Chinese mini-truck, Kei truck, K-truck, or a low-speed truck. The mini-trucks are available with 2WD or 4WD, have an unladen weight that is less than 1800 lbs, generally only reach a top speed of 50 mph, and have an engine displacement of 550 cc or more.

Off-highway Use

As an off-highway vehicle, the mini truck is issued:
• A Certificate of Title and
• An Off-Road Recreational Vehicle plate

The Customer Service Representative (CSR) will use the “ATV” body style and the “R” registration category. The vehicle has no annual renewal and is also exempt from the emissions requirement.

On-highway Use

Initially, these vehicles do not meet the safety and equipment requirements of A.R.S. Title 28, Chapter 3, Article 16, as well as EPA, and other federal requirements needed for on-highway use. If the owner wants to register the vehicle for on-road use, he or she must submit a properly completed Highway Use Certificate, form #96-0371, certifying that the vehicle meets all applicable safety and equipment requirements for on-road use and will remain in compliance as long as the vehicle is registered.


IMPORTED MINI-TRUCKS
Page 2 of 2

For primary or occasional on-road use, the mini truck is issued:
• A certificate of Title
• A registration, and
• A qualified small license plate

The CSR will use the “ATV” body style and the “H” registration category. Since the vehicle’s engine displacement is greater than 90cc, the vehicle may be subject to an emissions requirement.

Since the mini-truck is titled with an “ATV” body style it cannot be changed at a future date due to the fact that the vehicle does not have a federal label. The “ATV” body style will remain for the life of the vehicle.

Note: These vehicles are eligible for the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) decal. If the customer requests the OHV decal, he or she must submit a properly completed Off-Highway Vehicle Decal Application, form # 96-0572. If the customer is registering the vehicle for on-road use and requesting the OHV decal, the customer does not need to submit the Highway Use Certificate.

Reminder: A mini-truck currently titled and /or registered in another state or country and with no previous record of an Arizona title or registration will require a Level I Inspection.

This office memo rescinds and supersedes Office Memo T5382 Shandong Liangzi Power Co. Ltd. Mini-trucks with Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Beginning with L6F.

Attachments: Highway Use Certificate, Form #96-0371
Off-Highway Vehicle Decal Application, Form #96-0572

Vehicle inspection

Arizona will not require emission testing for any JDM cars.

You should go to a third-party Motor Vehicle Division that has done this before. People have recommended EZ Title.

Title and registration

To register your car, bring the following papers to the MVD.

If you want an OHV decal for offroading, Arizona residents will need to take Safe and Ethical riding course.

Arkansas

Legality

Arkansas allows for titling and registering Kei trucks in the state. They’ll register the vehicle with a farm tag regardless of whether you live on a farm and require that you do not travel on highways going over 55 mph.

Law regarding Kei cars

Vehicle inspection

Arkansas does not require any emissions or safety inspections.

Title and registration

In the application to register the mini-truck, the owner of the mini-truck shall provide:

The Kei cars have the same affidavit as required under § 27-14-601(a)(3)(H)(v) and § 27-14-601(a)(3)(H)(xi)

California

Legality

Due to California's strict emissions testing, California will not register a Kei vehicle without CARB testing. Most places will not test emissions on a Kei car. However, it seems like only G&K in Santa Ana will perform the test, and testing is around $6,500.

Otherwise, the only other options are private land use without registration or out-of-state registration.

Colorado

Legality

As of May 3, 2025, legality on Kei trucks in Colorado seems to be mixed. Call your local DMV to clarify the registration of Kei cars. People have been successful in registering Kei cars in Colorado and it seems to be easier in mountain towns where no emissions test is required.

As of May 3, 2025, there is a bill heading to the governor's desk to codify Kei cars in Colorado. This bill will allow kei cars that are either 25 years old or older when imported into the country, or over 25 years old when it was previously issued a title in the U.S. Once it is signed by Polis, this proposed law will go into effect on July 1, 2027.

Vehicle inspection

Colorado does not require safety inspections on vehicles, but does require an emissions test based on the county. Counties that require an emissions test.

Title and registration

Requirements for title and registration in Colorado. Link to checklist but below should cover everything:

Kentucky

Legality

As of June 27, 2025, Kei cars are legal in Kentucky. Kentucky Senate Bill 63 (SB 63) classifies kei trucks as "special purpose vehicles," allowing their operation on public roads under specific conditions.

Kei trucks are prohibited from operating on interstate highways and parkways and may not travel more than 20 miles on highways with centerline markings.

Vehicle inspection

Kei trucks must be equipped with essential safety features such as headlights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, a windshield, seat belts, and appropriate tires.

Title and registration

To title and register a Kei truck

Source



Ohio

Legality

Ohio defines Kei cars as mini-trucks:

(BBB) "Mini-truck" means a vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of seven thousand five hundred watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of six hundred sixty cubic centimeters or less, has a total dry weight of nine hundred to two thousand two hundred pounds, contains an enclosed cabin and a seat for the vehicle operator, resembles a pickup truck or van with a cargo area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle, and was not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Bill regarding the operation of a mini-truck

If registered as a mini-truck, there is a restriction that they cannot go on roads with a speed limit over 35 mph

Vehicle inspection

Ohio does not require emission testing for vehicles older than 25 years old.

Title and registration

If a vehicle will be driven before a title is issued, then a temporary tag can be purchased from any local deputy registrar license agency or online at OPLATES.com.

Source for the registration process.


Out of state registration

Rhode Island

Legality

Rhode Island will not register a Kei car. The only other options are private land use without registration or Out of state registration.

Texas

Legality

As of May 21, 2025, Kei vehicles that follow federal standards are legally codified by law in Texas, according to SB 1816 (This is thanks to Lone Star Kei)

Article covering passing of SB 1816

Vehicle inspection

As of January 1st, 2025, cars in Texas no longer need a safety inspection. Counties can still require an emissions test and most populous counties in Texas do (Harris, Travis, Tarrant, etc) but there is an exemption for cars 25+ years old.

For street legal Kei vehicles, no inspection or emissions test in Texas is required.

Title and registration

Requirements for title and registration in Texas. Link to checklist, but below should cover everything:

You can apply for a temporary 30-day permit here before you get a law enforcement inspection.