Florida
RestrictedFL
Kei trucks are street-legal with restrictions in Florida as of September 2026.
Florida is one of the few states that names these vehicles in statute instead of leaving them to DMV interpretation. Fla. Stat. 320.01(44) defines a 'mini truck' as a four-wheeled, reduced-dimension truck with no NHTSA truck classification and a 55 mph top speed, carrying headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, taillamps, reflectors, a parking brake, mirrors, a windshield and seat belts — a description most kei trucks already meet. FLHSMV procedure TL-63 titles and registers them like any other motor vehicle under body type 'MT', with PIP/PDL insurance. The catch is that the classification and the road limit arrive together: the missing NHTSA truck classification is what makes a 25-year-old kei truck importable in the first place, and it is also what places it in the mini truck class, which Fla. Stat. 316.2122 confines to streets posted 35 mph or below statewide — regardless of what the truck can actually do. You may cross a faster road at an intersection; you may not drive along one. Counties and municipalities can ban mini trucks on their own roads in the interest of safety, so local rules can narrow this further, but they cannot widen it.
Registration Status
Street Legal
Kei Vehicles can be driven on public roads.
Titleable
You can obtain a state title for a kei vehicle.
Registerable
Kei Vehicles can be registered with the state.
Inspection Required
No vehicle inspection is required.
Restrictions
Speed restriction: Streets posted 35 mph or below, statewide — crossing a faster road at an intersection is allowed
- Operation limited to streets posted 35 mph or below, statewide (Fla. Stat. 316.2122)
- Crossing an intersection of a road posted above 35 mph is expressly permitted
- Must be titled, registered, and insured with PIP/PDL; driver license required
- Counties and municipalities may further prohibit them on roads under their jurisdiction
How to Register a kei vehicle in Florida
- 1
Get insurance
Obtain liability insurance before visiting the DMV. See our insurance directory for companies that cover kei vehicles.
- 2
Gather your documents
Bring to the DMV:
- Bill of Lading (proof of shipment)
- Customs Entry Summary (CBP 7501)
- EPA Form 3520-1
- NHTSA/DOT Form HS-7
- Japanese Export Certificate
- Bill of Sale
- Proof of insurance
- 3
Visit the DMV and apply for title
Request a title application for an imported vehicle. The Japanese chassis number will serve as the VIN — clerks may need to enter it manually. If the clerk is unfamiliar with kei vehicles, ask to speak with a supervisor.
- 4
Pay fees and get plates
Pay titling fees, registration fees, and applicable sales tax. You'll receive a state title, registration card, and license plates.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our Title & Registration Guide.
Official Source
Visit your state's DMV/DOT website for the most current information on vehicle registration and titling.
Florida DMV/DOTFlorida DMV/DOTFlorida DMV/DOTLast verified: September 2026 · this month
Tips for Florida
- Be aware of the specific restrictions before purchasing a kei vehicle for use in Florida.
- Speed restrictions limit where you can drive — plan your routes accordingly.
- Contact your local DMV office to confirm current requirements before visiting.
Kei dealers & importers in Florida
Kei rules in nearby states
Legality changes at the state line, and often dramatically. If you are close to a border, or shopping across one, these are Florida’s neighbours.