These micro utility vehicles are gaining traction around the globe because they are efficient, cost-effective, and flexible. Like most vehicles, kei trucks, or “kei-toro” as they’re called in Japan, have their fair share of pros and cons. While these tiny trucks are easy on the eyes, they have received flags in the United States and are facing major regulatory challenges as well. Many states in America either do not permit their use on public roads or have completely banned them.
What are kei trucks?
These incredible little trucks first originated in Japan where they were specifically designed to meet the criteria of Japanese kei car regulations. The general characteristics of these vehicles include:
Fuel efficiency
Super affordable, practical and serve small business and farms
Cumbersome and lightweight for easy navigability
Engine displacements lower than 660cc
Due to their compact build, kei trucks are extremely appreciated in the state of America.
What Government Restrictions Are Being Imposed on Kei Trucks?
Both federal and state governments within the U.S. have placed kei trucks under immense regulation due to safety concerns and emission concerns. The notable ones are:
1. Federal Restriction for Imports
The U.S. DOT and EPA have set strict guidelines for vehicles for the intended kei truck parts to be remitted to the United States. Without these guidelines being checked, the remittance of kei trucks into the United States becomes harder as they are unable to meet such requirements. This makes it impossible to bring the kei trucks over the 25 year age mark that allows them to be classified and exempted as classic vehicles.
2. Additional State Level Restrictions
There is a mix bag of laws concerning the use of kei trucks on a statewide bases across America:
Free States: States such as Idaho or Montana allow kei trucks to be driven on publicly accessible roads supported with some boundaries such as not exceeding certain speed points.
Restricted Allowance States: In states such ad West Honoria where kei trucks may be driven within a set distance for farming reasons, may be only permitted for farming as well as off-road driving only.
Prohibited States: California and New York have greatly banned the usage of kei trucks due to over riding issues concerning the safety of emissions.
3. Problems of Safety
The American market is not tailored for kei trucks, as the designs are for Japanese roads and traffic flows. Opposers of kei trucks argue that they:
Do not have protective components such as airbags or crash protection
Are far too light and flimsy and could be easily crushed by American cars
Are dangerous when operated on freeways together with standard sized cars and trucks
Because of this, some states have passed legislation banning their use on public roads and imposing speed limits.
The AAMVA and Its Responsibilities for Regulation
The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators ‘s (AAMVA) involvement has been instrumental in some state legislation concerning the use of kei trucks. They were first introduced in the mid-2000s when Japan and China started importing mini-trucks. With the entry of these vehicles to the market, the AAVMA started advocating for stricter regulations on their use, which eventually led to many states banning them completely or making it nearly impossible to register them.
How Owners of Kei Trucks Are Coping
Kei truck fans have managed to continue using their vehicles legally even with government restrictions by:
– Filing them as off-road vehicles or farming equipment.
– Only importing older models over 25 years to avoid some federal regulations.
– Actively campaigning to change state laws to permit them to be used on the road.
Many users own kei trucks for landscaping, construction, or campus maintenance jobs that require a vehicle with great fuel economy and a small footprint.
Final thoughts
Though kei trucks are economical, useful, and affordable, they have to overcome many laws and regulations in the United States. Because of safety issues and the stringent regulations on imports, these “cute little trucks” are largely prohibited in many parts of the country. Still, with increasing interest from the public and advocacy from fans, these lovely little trucks could become easier to drive in the United States with the right policy changes in the future.