Kei Truck US, a new online resource published by premier Japanese mini truck parts supplier Oiwa Garage, maps street-legal registration rules, DMV paperwork, and import costs for Kei trucks across all 50 states.
LONG BEACH, Calif. (October 13, 2026) — Kei Truck US today announced the launch of the nation’s most comprehensive, free 50-state resource covering Kei truck laws by state, import eligibility, and ownership costs. Published by Long Beach-based Oiwa Garage, the leading U.S. supplier of Kei truck parts and accessories, the platform provides an interactive color-coded map, plain-English legal summaries, and the exact DMV title and registration paperwork required in every state.
Japanese Kei trucks (keitora)—compact, right-hand-drive 4WD utility trucks built to Japan’s keijidosha light-vehicle standards with 660cc engines and a 350 kg (770 lb) payload capacity—have surged in popularity among American drivers, farmers, tradespeople, and off-road enthusiasts. While U.S. federal law permits importing Japanese mini trucks once they reach 25 years of age under the NHTSA 25-year import rule, whether a Kei truck is street legal to title, plate, and drive on public roads is decided entirely at the state level.
Following two years of rapid legislative shifts across the country, the October 2026 Kei Truck US 50-State Legal Guide reveals a clear national breakdown:
- 22 States Allow Full Street-Legal Registration: Kei trucks can be titled, plated, and driven on public roads much like standard passenger vehicles.
- 20 States Allow Conditional or Restricted Road Use: Registration is permitted with operational limits, such as low-speed or medium-speed vehicle classifications, speed-zone caps, interstate highway restrictions, or county-level opt-ins.
- 8 States Prohibit On-Road Registration: Public road use remains blocked, restricting Japanese mini trucks to off-road, farm, or private-property utility use.
- Major Legislative Shifts (2024–2026): Grassroots advocacy recently unlocked and protected street-legal registration pathways in Texas, Kentucky, and Vermont, while Colorado enacted legislation opening on-road Kei truck registration starting in January 2028. Conversely, Rhode Island halted new on-road registrations following a 2024 policy change.
“People want the functionality and bed space of a pickup truck, but they don’t want the massive footprint or to spend $60,000 on one,” said George Zotos, Founder and CEO of Oiwa Garage. “Every single week in our 200,000-member owner communities, buyers ask whether a Kei truck is street legal in their state, and the information online was outdated or contradictory. We went statute by statute across all 50 states and put every answer on one interactive map with the exact DMV forms you actually need. Once owners get their truck legally on the road, Oiwa Garage is right there with the OEM and aftermarket parts to keep it running reliably for decades.”
Free Interactive Tools for Importing, Buying, and Maintaining a Kei Truck
Designed as an end-to-end hub for first-time buyers and seasoned collectors alike, Kei Truck US (keitruckus.com) pairs legal clarity with practical ownership tools:
- Interactive 50-State Kei Truck Law Map: Direct references to each state’s motor vehicle statutes, DMV agency guidelines, inspection rules, and step-by-step titling checklists.
- 25-Year Import Eligibility Checker: An instant verification tool to confirm whether specific Japanese production years and chassis codes qualify for legal U.S. customs entry.
- Kei Truck Landed-Cost Calculator: A transparent estimator that calculates the true total cost of importing a Japanese mini truck, factoring in auction price, ocean freight, U.S. customs duty (25% chicken tax), port fees, customs broker charges, and state registration.
- In-Depth Model & Maintenance Guides: Comprehensive buyer guides and technical specs for the Big Five Japanese mini trucks—the Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Subaru Sambar, Daihatsu Hijet, and Mitsubishi Minicab—alongside a free downloadable Kei Truck Maintenance Guide.
About Kei Truck US
Kei Truck US (keitruckus.com) is the premier free online reference for buyers, importers, and owners of Japanese Kei trucks in the United States. Published by Oiwa Garage, the platform provides verified state-by-state registration laws, import calculators, model specifications, and maintenance resources for right-hand-drive Japanese mini trucks.
About Oiwa Garage
Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Oiwa Garage (oiwagarage.co) is the leading U.S. source for Japanese Kei truck parts, OEM maintenance components, and custom accessories. Specializing in the Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Subaru Sambar, Daihatsu Hijet, and Mitsubishi Minicab, Oiwa Garage stocks over 3,300 products with fast domestic shipping and manages the largest network of Kei truck owner communities on Facebook, uniting roughly 200,000 enthusiasts worldwide.
Media Contact
George Zotos
Founder & CEO, Oiwa Garage
Long Beach, CA
Email: support@oiwagarage.co
Websites: keitruckus.com | oiwagarage.co
Matthew Wilde
Matthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of cars, Matthew developed a strong foundation in automotive technology and design. His work emphasizes accuracy and depth, aimed at informing both enthusiasts and industry professionals with straightforward, precise reporting.
https://theweeklydriver.com/