Last reviewed: October 2, 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Texas laws and county procedures change, so confirm the current requirements with your county tax assessor-collector before you buy.
The short answer: Since September 1, 2025, Texas law (Senate Bill 1816) treats kei trucks and other small imported vehicles as "miniature vehicles." A miniature vehicle is a motor vehicle that can be titled and registered in Texas, and once it is titled and registered it may be driven on public roads if it is capable of complying with traffic laws. Titling one works much like titling any other imported vehicle: you bring the import paperwork, a law enforcement VIN inspection, proof of insurance and Form 130-U to your county tax office.
Are kei trucks street legal in Texas?
Yes, with conditions. Senate Bill 1816 (89th Legislature) added "miniature vehicles" to the Texas Transportation Code. Under the new law:
- A miniature vehicle is a motor vehicle for purposes of Texas titling and registration.
- It may be operated on a public highway only if it is titled and registered and is capable of complying with traffic laws.
- To qualify, it must be designed to run on four or more tires and comply with applicable federal law. Custom vehicles, street rods, neighborhood electric vehicles, golf carts and off-highway vehicles are not miniature vehicles.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) has said miniature vehicles will continue to be titled and registered under its existing policies and procedures. Kei trucks have small engines (typically 660cc), so plan routes where you can keep up with traffic safely.
The federal 25-year rule
Kei trucks were not built to U.S. safety and emissions standards for new vehicles. Federal law allows a vehicle like this to be imported once it is at least 25 years old, counted from its month and year of manufacture. Our vehicles are imported from Japan and are typically 25 years old or older. Each vehicle comes with the import paperwork that shows it entered the United States.
Paperwork you receive from us
Each vehicle is sold with its import paperwork. The exact documents for your vehicle are listed on its bill of sale, and usually include:
- Japanese export certificate (export deregistration certificate), with English translation
- U.S. Customs entry documents (CBP Form 7501 entry summary or other proof of release)
- DOT / NHTSA Form HS-7 import declaration
- EPA Form 3520-1 import declaration
- Ocean bill of lading
- Bill of sale from Wideway Motors LLC
We do not provide a Texas title or registration. Some county offices ask for a certified translation of the export certificate, so check with your county and ask us before you buy if you need one.
Step by step: titling and registering in Texas
- Insure the vehicle. Texas requires at least 30/60/25 liability coverage. Give your insurer the chassis number (VIN) from the export certificate and tell them it is a 25-year-or-older imported vehicle.
- Get a law enforcement VIN inspection. Imported vehicles that have never been titled in the U.S. usually need Form VTR-68-A, Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection, completed by a certified auto theft investigator. Call your local police department or sheriff's office to ask who does these inspections in your area.
- Check whether you need an emissions test. Texas ended annual safety inspections for most non-commercial vehicles on January 1, 2025, and replaced them with a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee paid at registration. Emissions tests are still required in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Brazoria and Montgomery counties and other emissions counties, but only for gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old. A vehicle that is 25 years old or older falls outside that range.
- Complete Form 130-U. This is the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration, available from TxDMV.
- Visit your county tax assessor-collector's office. Bring Form 130-U, the import paperwork, the bill of sale, the completed VTR-68-A, proof of insurance and your photo ID. Texas expects a title application within 30 days of the sale date, and late penalties can apply after that.
- Pay tax and fees, and get your plates. Expect 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax, generally based on the purchase price, plus the title fee, registration fee and local county fees. Once approved, you leave with license plates and a registration sticker, and your Texas title is mailed to you.
What if your county office has questions?
Requirements can vary from one county office to another, especially for vehicles a clerk does not see often. Call your county tax office before you go, mention that the vehicle is a 25-year-or-older Japanese import being titled as a miniature vehicle under SB 1816, and ask exactly which documents they want. If they ask about a document from our side, call or text us at (713) 385-9798.
Buying from outside Texas?
Every state has its own rules for kei trucks and imported vehicles, and some states limit or do not allow them on public roads. Check with your state's motor vehicle agency before you buy. We can help arrange shipping within the mainland United States through independent carriers, at your expense and paid directly to the carrier. See our Shipping & Pickup Policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive a kei truck on the highway in Texas?
Once it is titled and registered, Texas law allows a miniature vehicle on public highways if it is capable of complying with traffic laws. Many owners stick to local roads because of the small engine.
Do I need an emissions test in Houston?
Harris County emissions testing applies to gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old. A kei truck that is 25 years old or older is outside that range. Confirm with your county before you register.
Do you title the vehicle for me?
No. Vehicles are sold with their import paperwork, and titling and registration are the buyer's responsibility. We are happy to answer questions about the documents we provide.
Can I use a kei truck only on my ranch or property?
Many buyers use kei trucks off-road on farms, ranches and private property. If you plan to drive on public roads at all, title and register it first.
Official resources
- TxDMV forms, including Form 130-U and VTR-68-A
- Harris County Tax Office: vehicle title and registration
- TCEQ: vehicle emissions inspections in Texas
More kei truck guides
- Kei truck buyer's guide: choosing a truck, what to inspect, and the paperwork you should get
- Kei truck vs. UTV for Texas ranch and farm work: road use under Texas law, payload, bed size and price
- Hijet vs. Carry vs. Acty vs. Sambar: which kei truck to buy
Important
All vehicles are sold by Wideway Motors LLC AS IS, with no warranty. This guide is provided for general information. Seller makes no representation that any vehicle can be titled, registered, inspected or driven on public roads in your state, and being unable to do so is not grounds to cancel a purchase or receive a refund. See Section 6 of our Terms of Sale.
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