Rules by state

• Colorado
• Texas

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:

• A Verification of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) form DR 2698 completed by either:
  • A Colorado law enforcement officer
  • A licensed Colorado motor vehicle dealer
  • A licensed Colorado emissions testing station (They will have the form)
• Proof of Colorado insurance
• Passing Emissions Test as required (verify with your local county motor vehicle office or the Emissions page)
• Secure and verifiable identification (DR 2841)
• The current title, or other ownership documents, are properly endorsed by the previous owner
  • If imported from Japan, bring foreign evidence in the name of the owner/dealer or assigned to the owner/dealer. The Japanese export certificate and an English copy should work.
• Completed odometer disclosure
• A bill of sale for tax purposes. This will be the invoice.

Texas

Legality

The Texas DMV will title kei-cars as of April 4th, 2024 Title and Registration Procedures for Mini Vehicles.

This is thanks to Lone Star Kei. Currently they are working on passing SB 1816 to codify the legality of kei vehicles in law. 

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.

• Gasoline vehicles model-year 2 through 24 years old are inspected annually beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary. 

So 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:

• Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)

• Proof of current vehicle insurance. 
  
  • Agents in TX who might help
• Your current driver license or government-issued photo identification.
  • Click here for photo identification requirements. 
• Title a new vehicle
  • Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A) from an authorized inspector.
    • Authorized inspectors can be found by contacting an MVCPA grantee organization or by contacting a TxDMV Regional Service Center. 
  • Properly assigned evidence of ownership may include:
    • foreign evidence in the name of the owner/dealer or assigned to the owner/dealer
      
    • title in the name of or properly assigned to the applicant, which may be used when the original VIN is identified by an authorized inspector.
    • bill of sale or receipt, which may be used in limited situations.
    • bonded title application, which may be used for assembled or homemade vehicles.
      
• Proof of US Customs Entry/Clearance (CBP 7501)
• Proof of Form HS-7 (DOT HS-7 Short)