Kei Truck Legal States 2025

Legal
Restricted
9
Illegal
9
No recorded law
4
State
Kei Truck Legality
Kei Truck Speed Limit
Additional Details
Colorado Flag
ColoradoRestrictedKei trucks can only be used in off-road situations such as on the farm.
Michigan Flag
MichiganRestrictedAs of early 2024, Kei trucks were typically restricted to off-road or private property use. Limited exceptions may exist, but the states’ regulations generally discourage the use of these vehicles on public roads. Enthusiasts mounted a campaign to re-legalize Kei vehicles, but as of Nov. 2024, the vehicles remained restricted.
Minnesota Flag
MinnesotaRestrictedLegal only in municipalities with local ordinances that permit it.
Montana Flag
MontanaRestrictedLegal only in municipalities with local ordinances that permit it.
New York Flag
New YorkRestrictedThe DMV will not register or title any Kei-class vehicle unless the vehicle has been brought into compliance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission requirements Regulations largely prevent Kei trucks from being used on public roads. These regulations cite safety and environmental concerns as the primary reasons for the restrictions.
Pennsylvania Flag
PennsylvaniaRestrictedThe state has tight controls and stringent inspection requirements, making it challenging for Kei trucks to pass the necessary tests for legal public use. As a result, Kei trucks are often restricted to off-road or private property use in these states.
Rhode Island Flag
Rhode IslandRestrictedRecent legislation has proposed to prevent the registration of additional Kei trucks while allowing currently registered ones to remain on the roads. This indicates a trend towards stricter regulations and limited road use for new Kei truck registrations.
Virginia Flag
VirginiaRestrictedKei trucks can be registered as antique or special-use vehicles. However, their operation on public roads is heavily restricted, often relegating them to limited uses that do not include regular road driving.
West Virginia Flag
West VirginiaRestrictedKei trucks can only be used for farm purposes and within a distance of 20 miles.
Alaska Flag
AlaskaNo recorded lawAlaska has no recorded state laws pertaining to the legality of kei trucks. Use of kei trucks is common, but may be prohibited by local laws. As such, owners are advised to check with local laws for guidelines on kei truck use. Alaska may allow non-residents to operate a vehicle registered in another state for 60 days.
Delaware Flag
DelawareNo recorded law
District of Columbia Flag
District of ColumbiaNo recorded law
Hawaii Flag
HawaiiNo recorded lawYou cannot use mini trucks on public roads in Hawaii as the state has no laws or regulations guiding their operation on State roads.
Alabama Flag
AlabamaLegal25 mphKei trucks are allowed on any road except for interstate highways. Additionally, trucks must be able to reach a minimum of 25 mph (which is also their maximum allowed speed).
Arizona Flag
ArizonaLegalThe owner must complete and submit the Highway Use Certificate and make sure the vehicle complies with all extant safety and equipment requirements.
Arkansas Flag
ArkansasLegal55 mphKei trucks are allowed on roads where the speed limit does not exceed 55 mph. This excludes highways and controlled access highways. Also, all vehicles must be registered exclusively for farm and agricultural purposes.
California Flag
CaliforniaLegalCalifornia poses significant hurdles for the registration and road use of Kei trucks. The state’s rigorous safety and emissions standards often make it difficult for these vehicles to be legally driven on public roads. Kei trucks are legal on streets but not on highways (prohibited on roads with speed limit above 55 mph). However, there are no limitations for off-road use.
Florida Flag
FloridaLegal35 mphKei trucks are allowed on some roads. However, the speed limitations must be 35mph or less. Owners must register vehicles as a mini truck. County-level guidelines determine whether the kei truck needs to be registered as an off-road vehicle or as a recreational vehicle.
Idaho Flag
IdahoLegalKei trucks are allowed to use Idaho Transport Board roads and as a local option without speed restrictions.
Illinois Flag
IllinoisLegal35 mphKei trucks can be registered as antique or special-use vehicles. However, their operation on public roads is heavily restricted, often relegating them to limited uses that do not include regular road driving.
Indiana Flag
IndianaLegalIndiana allows mini trucks on its public roads and highways without speed restrictions, but the driver must have a vehicle title and registration.
Kansas Flag
KansasLegalLegal on public roads except state and federal highways and interstates.
Kentucky Flag
KentuckyLegalMini trucks are street legal in places where local ordinances allow but they can only be used to cross state roads. There are no speed restrictions.
Louisiana Flag
LouisianaLegal55 mphIllegal on controlled access highways, multi-lined divided highways with partial or no control of access and interstate highways.
Maine Flag
MaineLegal35 mph
Massachusetts Flag
MassachusettsLegalThe Registry of Motor Vehicles assessed industry standards related to Kei trucks, cars and vans, and determined that owners of Kei vehicles would be able to register these vehicles effective September 18, 2024. Kei vehicles that were already registered could continue their existing registration and renewals, without interruption.
Mississippi Flag
MississippiLegalIt is legal to use mini trucks on Mississippi public roads but owner must provide a bill of sale, $100 title bond and an application of ownership.
Missouri Flag
MissouriLegal45 mphLocal ordinances dictate where kei trucks may be used. However, Missouri state ordinances limit the speed of the kei trucks to no more than 45mph. Missouri does not allow vehicles to be registered as miniature utility vehicles, which may limit the use of modern kei vehicles. Potential owners should check the overall hp output of any intended imports before purchase.
Nebraska Flag
NebraskaLegal
New Hampshire Flag
New HampshireLegal35 mphKei trucks in New Hampshire are confined to roads with a speed limit of 35mph or less and must stay within 25 miles of the owner’s residence. Business use is permitted, but again the vehicle must stay within a radius of 25 miles from the place of business. There are no permitted low-speed utility vehicles in New Hampshire.
North Carolina Flag
North CarolinaLegal
North Dakota Flag
North DakotaLegal55 mphKei trucks are permitted on most paved roads in North Dakota, but may not exceed 55 mph and are disallowed on highways and roadways with a speed limit in excess of 65mph. Kei trucks must register as an off-highway vehicle, meaning that it is primarily used for off-road or agricultural use.
Ohio Flag
OhioLegal35 mphKei trucks are permitted on roads with speed limits of 35mph or less. However, the local ordinances may override this permission. Throughout the state, Kei vehicles cannot travel at a speed in excess of 35mph. Owners are advised to check with local laws for guidelines on kei truck use.
Oklahoma Flag
OklahomaLegalKei trucks are permitted on all roads in Oklahoma with the exception of highways and interstates.
South Carolina Flag
South CarolinaLegal55 mph
South Dakota Flag
South DakotaLegalKei trucks can be used on public roads in South Dakota if they meet the necessary requirements and comply with general vehicle standards for safety and emissions
Tennessee Flag
TennesseeLegal35 mph
Texas Flag
TexasLegalIn April 2024, the Texas DMV declared that Kei trucks 25 years old or older that meet all applicable federal safety standards (and title requirements imposed on other vehicles) may be titled and registered in Texas.
Utah Flag
UtahLegal50 mphKei trucks are permitted on all Utah roads apart from highways, interstates, and byways. Local ordinances may add to these limitations.
Washington Flag
WashingtonLegalKei trucks generally face limitations on public road usage. Washington’s regulations are designed to ensure that these vehicles are not driven on high-speed roads or highways.
Wisconsin Flag
WisconsinLegalMini trucks are street legal in Wisconsin. But the vehicle must be 25 years old and above and you will need to register with collector plates.
Wyoming Flag
WyomingLegalWyoming regulations state that kei vehicles may use any road other than interstate highways, so long as the vehicle is able to reach the speed limit of said road. Kei trucks must also keep to the right hand lane and on the edge of the roadway. Additionally, local ordinances may limit access. Kei trucks must be listed as a multipurpose vehicle.
Connecticut Flag
ConnecticutIllegal
Georgia Flag
GeorgiaIllegalKei trucks are legal in Georgia for agricultural and farm purposes only. Vehicles more than 25 years old can be registered as a classic vehicle and used on-road. Additionally, limitations based upon speed regulations may exist. Check with local zoning for requirements and restrictions.
Iowa Flag
IowaIllegal
Maryland Flag
MarylandIllegal
Nevada Flag
NevadaIllegal
New Jersey Flag
New JerseyIllegal
New Mexico Flag
New MexicoIllegal
Oregon Flag
OregonIllegal
Vermont Flag
VermontIllegal