Kei Truck Legalization Tracker
Where kei trucks stand across the US, and the latest legislative news. Kei legality is changing fast — Texas codified it, Colorado passed a law on a delay, and Oregon keeps trying. Here's the running picture.
33
states fully legal
13
restricted
4
prohibited
In-depth explainers
Latest legalization news
Vermont bill aims to ease registration of mini trucks
Active legislation in the Vermont Statehouse aiming to ease mini-truck registration. Coverage from local TV; the bill is moving through committee as of April 2026.
Aisle Be Damned: Dems and GOP Unite in Oregon in Bid to Legalize Kei Trucks
Renewed 2026 bipartisan push kept the $63 fee and 65 mph cap, but the measure failed to clear its policy-committee deadline — Oregon keeps stalling on process, not opposition.
Trump wants the U.S. to build tiny cars. Will they take off?
NPR's reporting on the Trump kei announcement, including the catch — vehicles would need to be US-manufactured to actually be sold here under the proposed framework.
Kei Trucks and U.S. Regulation: Opportunities and Obstacles Ahead
Major DC law firm's legal analysis of what the federal directive can and cannot do — and where states like NY retain authority to keep their bans in place.
Trump signals potential window to allow kei cars & trucks nationwide
President Trump directed Sec. of Transportation Sean Duffy to 'clear the way' for kei vehicles nationwide. No federal rule has changed yet — but the political signal could pressure NY's stance.
Texas Legalizes Kei Vehicles With Immediate Effect
Gov. Abbott signed SB 1816 — unanimous in both chambers — codifying what TxDMV had been allowing administratively since 2024. Effective Sept 1, 2025.
Everything's bigger in Texas — except the now-road-legal mini kei trucks
Public radio coverage of the bipartisan win, with reporting on Lone Star Kei founder David McChristian's lobbying push.
Bill to Legalize Kei Trucks in Oregon Takes New Direction
SB 1213 sponsors pulled the standalone bill and moved its language into HB 2025 — a faster-moving omnibus transportation bill.
Oregon bill would legalize 'kei trucks' on public roads
Local TV coverage of the bill rollout and its bipartisan backers.
Sen. Broadman Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Legalize On-Road Use of Lightweight Vehicles
Senate Bill 1213 introduced — bipartisan co-sponsors include both Republicans and Democrats. Sets $63 reg fee and bans use above 65 mph.
Updates from Maine Kei
Community-side tracking of the working-group process and what owners can do to participate in hearings.
Texas Just Passed The Best Car Law In Years
Enthusiast perspective on SB 1816 — argues this is the cleanest legislative win for imported-car owners in a decade.
Small Trucks, Big Win: SEMA-Backed Kei Truck Bills Signed Into Law in Colorado, Texas
Industry trade group walk-through of both wins and what they mean for the broader fight.
LD 1209 — An Act to Establish a Working Group to Study Small Lightweight Vehicles
Passed in May 2025 — creates the Small Lightweight Vehicle Working Group to study safety, emissions, and other states' approaches. Report due Dec 3, 2025; bill recommendation expected 2026.
Georgia's Governor Vetoes The Imported Car/Kei Legalization And The Reason Is Really Weird
Gov. Kemp vetoed HB 308 on May 14, 2025 — despite the bill passing both chambers with major bipartisan support. The reasoning cited was widely criticized as out of step with current federal import rules.
Colorado Finally Legalizes Kei Vehicles! But There's a Catch...
Catch is the 2-year delay — DMV and emissions systems need to be updated before owners can register.
Get ready to see a lot more mini-trucks on the road in Colorado
Public radio reporting on what the new law does, the 55 mph speed cap, and the implementation timeline.
HB25-1281 — Title, Register, & Drive Kei Vehicles
Gov. Polis signed the SEMA-backed bill May 9, 2025 — adds 'kei vehicle' to the definition of motor vehicle. Effective July 1, 2027; registrations begin Jan 1, 2028.
SB 1816 — Bill text and analysis
Official legislative analysis: classifies kei trucks as 'miniature vehicles,' requires the federal 25-year import rule, and mandates safety equipment.
Mini trucks may get state's green light
Local Pennsylvania paper reporting on the political path of HB 1205 and what it would change for current owners holding grandfathered status.
House Bill 1205 — Mini truck registration reform
Rep. David Zimmerman introduced HB 1205 to allow mini-truck operation on most roads (excluding >55 mph). Currently in the Transportation Committee.
Bill H.4053 — An Act to legalize Kei vehicles in the Commonwealth
House bill filed to codify RMV's policy into law, removing the agency's discretion to reverse course again.
RI § 31-1-3 — Statutory definition of 'Kei car' / 'Kei truck'
Statutory text added in the 2024 legislative session defining kei vehicles — first step toward formal recognition even as registration remains blocked.
Mini Trucks FAQs — official PennDOT policy
Official PennDOT FAQ: since 2021, mini trucks may only register as off-road, farm, or antique vehicles unless owners hold a pre-Dec 2021 grandfather letter.
Michigan Now Allows Street Legal Mini-Trucks and Kei Cars
How the Vehicle Records Activity Unit notified registrants of the policy correction and re-issued on-road titles.
Michigan Backs Down From Banning Imported Cars After Enthusiasts Fight Back
Michigan SOS reversed its off-road-only classification — kei trucks moved back to on-road titles after community pressure.
Massachusetts Reverses Course, Will Allow Kei Truck Registrations
Coverage of the RMV's about-face after enthusiast pressure — registrations resumed less than three months after the ban.
In A Surprise Move, Massachusetts Makes It Legal To Register Kei Trucks And Imported Cars Again
Enthusiast-focused breakdown of how Massachusetts became the second state to roll back an imported-car ban.
ADVISORY: Massachusetts RMV Announces Update to Kei Vehicle Policy
RMV reversed its short-lived ban: kei vehicles can be registered with passenger or commercial plates effective Sept 18, 2024.
Why Is This Popular Truck Illegal On New York Roads?
Upstate NY radio coverage of why NY DMV refuses kei registrations and what it means for downstate owners stuck driving across state lines.
UPDATE: Rhode Island DMV Declares War Against The Adorable Kei Truck
Coverage of RI DMV's aggressive stance and the resulting community pushback culminating in Senate Committee approval of the grandfather bill.
Rhode Island Is Trying To Ban Kei Trucks Again
Background on the RI DMV's effort to recall already-issued kei registrations, contrasted with Sen. DiPalma's bill to grandfather existing owners.
Georgia's New Ban on Kei Trucks
Enthusiast-side reporting on how the GA DOR ban played out for current owners and what farm-use carve-outs still exist.
Policy Bulletin MVD-2023-05 — Japanese Kei Vehicles and Mini-Trucks
The 2023 GA DOR policy that stopped new kei registrations and authorized recall of existing titles — the legal basis the vetoed bill was trying to undo.