Enthusiasts and owners of Japanese Kei trucks in Texas are celebrating a potential win. State Senator Kelly Hancock introduced Senate Bill 1816 on March 3rd, a measure designed to protect the importation and registration of these unique vehicles, which are 25 years old or older. This follows an earlier victory when advocates successfully pushed the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to alter its stance and allow the registration of Kei trucks.
According to the proposed legislation, a Kei truck is defined as “a miniature car, truck, van, or bus manufactured in Japan.” Specific criteria include a 1.2-liter or smaller internal combustion engine, a top speed not exceeding 50 mph, and dimensions of 140 inches or less in height and 60 inches or less in width. The bill also mandates that these vehicles are equipped with headlights, stoplights, turn signals, taillights, a rearview mirror, windshield wipers, and a parking brake.
If enacted, SB 1816 would take effect on September 1, 2025. It would act as a significant safeguard, preventing the DMV from reversing its policy changes in the future. This is a crucial step for enthusiasts who have been fighting for the right to legally register these vehicles.
David McChristian, founder of the advocacy group Lone Star Kei, expressed his optimism about the bill. “This is a big step toward making sure 25-year-old Japanese miniature vehicles can be legally titled and registered in Texas,” McChristian said. He initiated contact with 180 Texas state representatives last year after discovering discrepancies in the DMV’s enforcement of its previous policies.
McChristian further explained that these changes are “a huge win for owners, small businesses, and rural communities that rely on them. This bill takes it a step further by locking that policy into state law so there’s no question in the future about whether these vehicles belong on the road.”
The Lone Star Kei group’s efforts extend beyond Texas, as similar challenges for Kei trucks exist nationwide. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) has raised concerns, arguing that these trucks do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards. The AAMVA is working through the states to push its agenda, but critics have noted that the organization does not seem to be concerned with the status of older vehicles that were on the road before the current standards were in place.
A suspicious mind might consider that the AAMVA, a member-driven organization with strong connections to both government agencies and corporations, may be protecting the interests of certain industries, such as the utility terrain vehicle (UTV) market. Kei trucks are often more affordable and easier to maintain than UTVs, and unlike UTVs, they can be driven on the road in certain circumstances. Since this issue was brought to light, the AAMVA has made its membership list private, requiring a login to view it.
