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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
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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.

  • CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary)
  • CBP Form 3461 (Entry/immediate delivery)
  • Customs Bond Arrival Notice
  • Original Invoice Original
  • Export certificate (English and Japanese)
  • DOT HS-7 declaration
  • EPA Form 3520-1
  • Bill of Lading
  • Off-Highway Vehicle Decal Application Form # 96-0572
    • Check "Primarily On-Highway"
  • Liability insurance

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

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