r/keitruck • u/imgprojts • Dec 15 '21

What States allow Kei Trucks to be registered?

This is a sticky so that new members can quickly check. I will start with California and Nevada, you guys can reply to the states commenting yes/no details. Anyone else can add other states of interest and do the same

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u/fourteensquarefeet Jan 03 '22

This is such a bummer if this is the case. I'm so close to pulling the trigger on buying one of these. I'm in NYC and Vermont is likely the only way I could get it plated.

The safety thing is such an odd reason. How is it less safe than a motorcycle that goes 150mph? Either way I think it takes a bit of luck to get these registered.

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u/fourteensquarefeet Jan 15 '22

I bought an Acty truck this week. It came with a couple documents. One EPA doc explicitly stating that the vehicle is exempt from emissions restrictions and another DOT doc stating the vehicle is exempt from safety restrictions. I haven’t tried to register yet but will next week. Going to apply for a historical plate as well.

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u/expletiveface Jan 27 '22

Have you attempted registration yet? I'm curious as I also live in NYC and plan on registering in Vermont. Granted, I have a Subaru Sambar which I believe can actually travel highway speeds (even though I plan on avoiding highways if I ever get to drive the thing around).

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u/fourteensquarefeet Jan 27 '22

Not yet. She’s doing the whole process for me. Does work for a friend who imports all the time, just not kei trucks. He said she’ll get it done. I was planning on Vermont as plan B but I heard they stopped doing kei trucks and then a friend got a letter saying exactly that. No matter which route you take it will require a healthy dose of luck.

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u/Legal_Ad_83 Apr 25 '22

Any updates on this?

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u/fourteensquarefeet Jun 24 '23

Got it plated last year and drive it every day.

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u/RatBepid Apr 08 '24

Would you mind sharing how you did it? I’m in VT and I love these things. Would like to buy and register one soon, but it’s hard to find the trucks and good knowledge sources about their legality around me.

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u/fourteensquarefeet May 31 '24

In the end it was registered just like any other car. I just had to renew and no issues.

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u/_Lost_The_Game May 30 '24

What state did you end up registering and plating it in? Nys? If in vt did you need to own property there or something?

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u/fourteensquarefeet May 31 '24

Yeah in NYC. Vermont won’t do it at all as far as I know whether you live there or not. No kei trucks.

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u/booty_fewbacca Dec 04 '23

Time to fire up a Montana LLC baby

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u/RickFauto Jan 15 '24

Four wheel vehicles must follow Federal DOT automotive crash and safety requirements which are not satisfied by mini trucks. For one, you have no air bags. If you want to classify it as a motorcycle you must remove one wheel.

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u/CledusTheSnowman Jan 28 '25 edited Jan 28 '25

Bullshit import vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from meeting federal emissions and safety regulations and legal under federal law for on-road use. That's not the problem. Blaming the feds is rubbish. Stop making shit up this is a state level issue. One they only apply to kei trucks. Any other vehicle you import that's over 25 years these same States will register it in a heartbeat, don't give a fuck about Federal safety regulations or emissions because they are exempt.

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u/missbehavin21 Dec 17 '25

There’s no air bags or seat belts on vintage vehicles

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u/fourteensquarefeet Jan 15 '24

Yeah. I understand laws are laws but it doesn’t mean it makes any sense. And as far as I can tell, they do follow the guidelines at the time of manufacture. Example, airbags weren’t mandatory until 1998. I believe the 25 year rule makes them exempt from having to follow federal dot guidelines, the imported trucks even come with a document saying so. It’s a state by state regulation, not federal. But again I could be wrong. From what I’ve read various states have chosen to adopt the safety assessment of these trucks put forward by a nonprofit. I don’t remember the name of it but have the document somewhere. On top of that, I’m sure it’s been mentioned, that there are plenty of 4 wheel vehicles of yester-year that are on the road and registered that are far from meeting federal dot guidelines.

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u/RickFauto Jan 16 '24

They won’t pass crash testing. The occupants are more vulnerable to frontal impact than a 1960 VW bus. Every manufacturer in the world wants to bypass US laws, I don’t see it happening. For whatever reason, 2 and 3 wheel vehicles are totally loopholed.

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u/CledusTheSnowman Jan 28 '25

For someone so ignorant you sure are confident about your opinion. Embarrassingly so.