State ordinances for Kei Trucks vary from state to state. Because of this, it is important that those wishing to purchase a Kei truck become familiar with the state laws before purchasing a Kei vehicle. For the most part, they can declare vehicles which are over 25 years old or older as being classic vehicle. Classic Vehicles typically do not have to follow the same regulations and stipulations that new vehicles must adhere to. If you are considering purchasing a Kei Truck, here are the regulations by state to help you get started.
Please note that in instances where there are no laws dictated by the state, those states should be considered as illegal for on-road usage. However, this may not be the case with all states. Again,reach out to your local state importation and driving authority to find the specifics pertaining to your Kei truck.
Kei truck or mini truck
You should know that there is a difference between a Kei Truck, Kei Van, and a mini vehicle. Typically, Mini Vehicles are similar to the full-size counterpart. Kei trucks are imports from Japan, which are primarily made as in city or agricultural vehicles. Because of the construction of the vehicles differs from United States automobile manufacturing, the standards and safety regulations for use must be adhered to. Even if a state allows for use of the vehicle on their roads, you may still need to bring the vehicle up to standard road safety conditions prior to operating the vehicle.
There are benefits for owning a Kei vehicle. Primarily, the ease of access as well as the price point is to be considered. Kei trucks can navigate slopes of up to 20ᵒ with ease. Because the truck is lower to the ground, the weight distribution tends to yield safer drivability than an ATV or other small vehicle.
State ordinances for Kei Trucks
Regulations vary from state to state. Below is a list of the known regulations pertaining to each state. The regulations are as follows:
Alabama
They make Kei trucks allowances on any road except for interstate highways. Additionally, trucks must be able to reach a minimum of 25 mph.
Alaska
There are no recorded laws for Alaska. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Arizona
There are no recorded laws for Arizona. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Arkansas
They make Kei trucks allowances on roads that have a speed limit not exceeding 55 mph. This excludes highways and controlled access highways. Also, all vehicles must be registered exclusively for farm and agricultural purposes.
California
They can use any Kei vehicle on natural islands with an area in excess of 20,000 acres with the county having a population in excess of 4 million persons. Most generations of Kei trucks gain access within these parameters. However, autoette vehicles (those with 3 wheels) are not allowed within the state of California.
Colorado
There are no laws present. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Connecticut
There are no recorded laws for Connecticut. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Delaware
There are no laws present for this state. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common.As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Florida
Kei trucks are allowed on some roads. However, the speed limitations must be 35mph or less. They must register vehicles as a mini truck. So, check with the county you wish to use the truck to see if the mini truck needs to register as an off road vehicle or as a recreational vehicle.
Georgia
They can use Kei trucks in Georgia for agricultural and farm purposes only. With older vehicles, being those which are over 25 years old, they can be registered as a classic vehicle and used on road. Additionally, there may still be limitations based upon speed regulations. Check with local zoning for requirements and restrictions.
Hawaii
They recorded no state laws for Hawaii. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Idaho
Idaho allows for Kei vehicles based upon the options of the local authorities. This means that you will need to check with the county in which you wish to operate the vehicle prior to purchase and operation. However, there is a statewide limit on the vehicle limiting Kei Trucks that are utility type vehicles. No UTVs.
Illinois
They can use Kei trucks on roads with speed limits of 35mph unless local ordinances restrict such use. Also, when operated in a residential neighborhood the speed limit cannot exceed 25 mph. Typically, older generation kei trucks are ideal for Illinois as the engines for the vehicles tend to have a 356cc engine. These engines produce less hp than that of newer vehicles. Additionally, there may be exemptions to the older vehicles.
Indiana
There are no laws present. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Iowa
There are no recorded laws for Kei Trucks for Iowa. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Kansas
They can use Kei trucks on public roads and within corporate city limits if local ordinances do not restrict the use of your vehicle. However, there are roads which are not permitted including interstates and any major highways controlled by either the state or federal government. Throughout the state, there is a no UTV ordinance on Kei Trucks.
Kentucky
They base Kei truck usage for Kentucky solely upon local ordinances. As such, check with the county in which you wish to operate the vehicle to obtain the regulations and stipulations of use.
Louisiana
Roads that have a speed limit of 55mph or less allow mini vehicles. Yet, this does not include federal or state highways where the use is prohibited. Use of mini-trucks is prohibited. They do not allow use on divided highways or partially controlled roadways.
Maine
They make allowances for Kei trucks on main roads if the speed limit is less than 35 mph and the overall speed of the vehicle is less than 25mph. This limits the use of the vehicle to primarily residential areas. The use of your Kei is not permitted on highways or interstates.
Maryland
No recorded state ordinances for Kei trucks available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Massachusetts
There are no laws recorded for the state of Massachusetts. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Michigan
No state law is present. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Minnesota
They based use of a Kei vehicle in this state upon the local ordinances. The type of Kei trucks which are allowed are also determined by local ordinances. Check your local regulations to see where and how you can use your Kei truck.
Mississippi
They currently list no laws for this state. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Missouri
Local ordinances dictate where the truck can be used. However, the state ordinances limit the speed of the Kei truck to vehicles which are no more than 45mph. They permitted no miniature utility vehicles in the state of Missouri. This may limit the use of modern generation Kei vehicles. Check the overall hp output of your intended import before purchase.
Montana
There are no accessible laws for Kei trucks. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Nebraska
Miniature vehicles are permitted but Kei trucks are not. They can use miniature vehicles on all roads except for major highways, interstates, freeways and expressways. If you have questions as to whether your miniature vehicle would qualify as a Kei truck or as a mini vehicle, check with your local authorities. Allowances are premitted for Kei vans and campers if they are not conversions from a Kei truck to such.
New Hampshire
They limit Kei trucks to their use in New Hampshire. Apart from having a restriction of access to roads that are 35mph or less, the use of the vehicle must be within 25 miles of the residence’s house. Business use is permitted but cannot be used outside of a radius of 25 miles from the place of business. There are no permitted low-speed utility vehicles in New Hampshire.
New Jersey
No state law available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
New Mexico
No state law is available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
New York
No state laws are available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
North Carolina
There are no laws available for this state. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
North Dakota
They permit Kei trucks on most paved roads within the state. Exemptions to this are highways and any roadway where the speed limit is in excess of 65mph. The Kei trucks cannot have a speed of over 55 mph. They must register North Dakota Kei trucks as an off-highway vehicle, meaning that it is primarily used for off-road or agricultural use.
Ohio
Roads that have speed limits of 35mph or less allow Kei trucks. However, the local ordinances take precedence over this. Check with local zoning for Kei truck accessibility. Throughout the state, Kei vehicles cannot have a speed of over 35mph.
Oklahoma
They permit Kei trucks on all roads apart from highways and interstates.
Oregon
No state laws are available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Pennsylvania
No state law is available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Rhode Island
There is no available state law. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
South Carolina
There is no available state law present. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
South Dakota
No state law is present. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Tennessee
They permit Kei trucks if the street’s speed limit is 40mph or less. County and municipally roads may allow for Kei trucks within their jurisdiction. They limit the trucks throughout the state to vehicles which have a top speed of 35mph or less. Highways, interstates, and byways are prohibited for access throughout the state.
Texas
No state law is available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Utah
They permit Kei trucks on all roads apart from highways, interstates, and byways. There can be limitations to the accessed based upon local ordinances. Throughout the state the law prohibits the use of Kei Vehicles whose top speed exceeds that of 45mph.
Vermont
No state law is present. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Virginia
There is no state law present. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Washington
No state law is available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
West Virginia
No state law is available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Wisconsin
No state law is available. Prohibited use of Kei trucks should is common. As such, check with local state laws for details on Kei Truck Use.
Wyoming
Kei vehicles must be able to reach the speed limit of the roadway in which they are accessing. They make allowances on all roads, but must keep to the right hand lane and on the edge of the roadway. They must list Kei trucks as a multipurpose vehicle. Local ordinances may limit access.
A note about State ordinances for Kei Trucks
Use the above State ordinances for Kei Trucks as a guide only. It is the responsibility of the Kei truck owner to contact the proper authorities to determine the regulations and stipulations in place.
What year should you purchase
Depending upon the regulations of the county or state in which you wish to operate your Kei Truck, you may want to pick an older vehicle. This is a loophole for the regulations. Most State ordinances for Kei Trucks allow you to register Kei Vehicles as a classic automobile if the vehicle is 25 years old or older.
Newer Kei trucks may have the ability to be used on roadways where they would otherwise restrict it if they bring the vehicle up to the same standard as other vehicles of their size and class. This may mean that you need to have a lift kit, light changed, seatbelt/airbag installation, etc.