Importing a car from Japan — federal rules & state guides

A mini-truck class exists under § 40-12-240(10), but the statutory definition requires an installed 25 mph speed governor.

AS 28.10.068, enacted by SB 239 and effective June 24, 2026, bars the DMV from requiring FMVSS compliance for legally imported vehicles 25 years or older.

OHV/on-road registration path with Primary On-Road Use — one of the most kei-friendly states.

A.C.A. § 27-14-726 allows mini-truck registration, but only as a Class Eight farm vehicle on an F-prefix plate marked farm use only.

On-road registration effectively blocked by CARB emissions and FMVSS requirements.

HB25-1281 legalizes kei vehicle registration, but the act's official effective date is July 1, 2027 — you cannot register one today.

Registered as 'mini trucks' under FS 316.2122 — road use capped at streets posted 35 mph or less.

DOR Policy Bulletin MVD-2023-05 bars titling kei vehicles as 'unconventional' — existing titles are being revoked.

No statewide ban; county-level registration with VIN inspection — confirm local road rules.

Secretary of State treats kei vehicles as non-highway under 625 ILCS 5/3-401(c-1) — plates issued earlier have been revoked.

IC 9-13-2-103.1 defines a mini-truck class; the BMV titles and plates them, and only interstates are off limits.

Iowa Code 321.30(2)(a) requires a 49 C.F.R. pt. 567 FMVSS label before title or registration — a kei truck has none.

Titled as a 'micro utility truck' under K.S.A. 8-1494 — exempt from registration, barred from state and federal highways, and city streets only with city permission.

2025 Ky. Acts ch. 89 (SB 63) created a registrable 'street-legal special purpose vehicle' class that names minitrucks — but it needs a local ordinance, a roll bar or roll cage, and caps highway trips at 20 miles.

R.S. 32:299.2 defines a mini-truck class and allows roads posted 55 mph or less, registered with an OMV off-road decal.

The BMV classifies kei trucks as off-road vehicles and will not register them; a 2026 state working group unanimously recommended no change.

The RMV reversed its ban on September 18, 2024 and now registers kei vehicles with passenger or commercial plates — by policy, not statute.

The Secretary of State titles and registers kei vehicles 25 years and older for on-road use — under 25 years, off-road title only.

Minn. Stat. § 169.011 subd. 40a defines mini trucks, but road use requires a local ordinance and permit under § 169.045.

Titled as a 'Non-USA-Std Motor Vehicle' under RSMo 301.190 after a Highway Patrol examination on Form 551 — no mini truck class, no posted-speed cap.

MVD Title Manual titles Japanese mini-trucks as 'unconventional light vehicles' — street-legal with a self-certified MV70A equipment inspection.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-121.01 defines minitrucks; § 60-6,379 bars only interstates, expressways, and freeways.

No kei or mini-truck class exists, but pre-2000 vehicles are title-exempt under RSA 261:3 and register through the town clerk. The widely repeated '35 mph / 25-mile radius' rule is not in New Hampshire law.

NY DMV states it will not register or title any Kei-class vehicle without proof of full FMVSS and EPA compliance — a bar no imported kei truck can clear.

G.S. 20-121.1 defines a mini truck class and allows roads posted 55 mph or less — unusually permissive.

No kei-specific statute exists — NDDOT titles and registers imported vehicles under a published general procedure, and nothing in state law excludes kei trucks.

Defined mini-truck class under ORC 4519.02, but road use requires a local ordinance and is capped at 35 mph.

47 O.S. § 1151.3 requires mini trucks to be titled and registered and allows all state roadways except the Interstate system.

DMV won't title or register kei vehicles for road use; off-road Class IV ATV titling only.

PennDOT stopped issuing unrestricted on-road registrations in December 2021 — only off-road, farm-exemption, or antique titling remains.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-5(10) directs the DMV to refuse kei registrations and transfers — only pre-June 2024 registrations survive, and they cannot be sold with the vehicle.

Registrable, but as an ATV with a motorcycle plate under the DOR 'Mini Trucks' procedure — no interstate use.

Two pathways — 'medium speed vehicle' under TCA 55-1-125, or Class I off-highway plates for county roads.

SB 1816 classifies 25+ year miniature vehicles as motor vehicles for title and highway use.

Generally permitted with 50 mph road limits; stricter emissions in Wasatch Front counties.

S.326 defined kei vehicles in state law and directed the DMV to register them — effective July 1, 2026.

DMV guide VLIC-3.330 grants a title and full registration to imports over 25 years old — no mini truck restriction in the Code.

Registers 25-year imports but limits them to roads posted 35 mph or less — no highways. No emissions test.

Registrable as a street-legal special purpose vehicle under W. Va. Code § 17A-13-1 — but mini trucks are barred from federal-aid roads.

Wis. Stat. 341.10(6) names 'Kei class vehicle' as grounds to refuse registration — collector plates under 341.266 are the only route.

Registered as a multipurpose vehicle under W.S. 31-1-101 — WYDOT's own guidance pictures a mini truck as an example.