In a surprising twist for a state famous for oversized pickups and wide-open roads, Texas has just cleared the way for some of the world’s tiniest vehicles to cruise legally on its streets.
Known as kei cars—a category defined by Japanese regulations that cap vehicle size and engine output—these compact imports weren’t originally sold in the U.S. But as they age into eligibility, Texas is making space for them on the road.
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Like any vehicle 25 years old or older, kei vehicles—which include cute trucks, vans, sports cars, and SUVs—are legal to import to the United States under the 25-year import rule. The federal government exempts older cars like these from its regulations.
The issue is that, while legal on the federal level, keis aren’t accepted with open arms in every state. This is due to differences in state-level vehicle classifications and can also be affected by a state’s inspection or emission requirements. Texas was one of the states that didn’t allow keis, but now that’s changing, according to Car and Driver.
According to Motor1, Texas owes its new kei-friendly stance in large part to David McChristian, a local enthusiast who led the charge.
As the founder of advocacy group Lone Star Kei, McChristian worked closely with lawmakers to push for change, first convincing the Texas DMV to revise its stance on these vehicles in April 2024, and now securing their official recognition with the passage of Senate Bill 1816.
“After two and a half years of hard work, we’re thrilled to see our goal achieved with the passage of SB 1816, which codifies the ability to title, register, and operate Kei vehicles in Texas,” McChristian wrote.
Read: The U.S. Senate’s Effort to Block California’s Vehicle-Emission Rules
Interestingly, the bill doesn’t name kei vehicles outright. Instead, it introduces a wider classification for miniature vehicles that meet specific criteria: they must have four wheels, be self-propelled, and comply with federal law, requirements that 25-year-old imported keis already fulfill, Car and Driver said.
The vehicle also can’t be categorized as a custom build, street rod, neighborhood electric vehicle, golf cart, or off-highway vehicle. If it checks all those boxes, it’s now eligible to be titled, registered, and driven on Texas roads.
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