Checked against Florida law, in plain words

Kei Trucks in Florida

Street legal on slower roads: the 35 mph rule, how to register and where to buy

Florida law calls them "mini trucks". Kei trucks in Florida can be titled, plated and driven, but only on streets posted 35 mph or less.

Street legal on some roadsOnly on streets posted 35 mph or less, under Florida Statute 316.2122.

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Roads35 mph or less

PlatesRegular

Truck age25+ years

Safety inspectionNone

A white Honda Acty kei truck at a gas station in Melbourne, Florida, next to a red Ford F-150 — A Honda Acty at a gas station in Melbourne, Florida.

The law

What Florida law says about kei trucks

Florida is one of the few states with a law that names mini trucks. It sets one main rule: slow streets only.

The key line (Florida Statute 316.2122) may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less

It must be titled, registered and insured, and the driver needs a valid driver's license.
It may cross a faster road at an intersection.
A county, a city or the state DOT can ban mini trucks on its roads.

Florida Statute 320.01(44) defines a mini truck as a "four-wheeled, reduced-dimension truck" with a top speed of 55 mph, lights, mirrors, a windshield and seat belts. Kei trucks are usually registered this way. Many can go a little faster than 55 mph, so ask your tax collector how they handle that.

Sources: Florida Statutes 316.2122 and 320.01 (flsenate.gov) ↗. Checked Nov. 9, 2026.

How to title and register a kei truck in Florida

Six steps at your county tax collector. Call ahead and ask for "mini truck" registration.

Your Florida DMV checklistTick each step as you do it.

1Check the ageThe truck must be 25 years old, counted from the month it was built. In November 2026, that means built by November 2001.
2Get the import papersCustoms entry (CBP 7501), DOT form HS-7, EPA form 3520-1, the Japanese export certificate with an English translation, and your bill of sale. One Florida owner had to get the Japanese papers translated and notarized.
3Buy Florida insuranceFlorida requires personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability before you can register.
4Get the VIN checkedForm HSMV 82042. A police officer, a licensed dealer or a notary can do it, and many tax collector offices do it free.
5Apply for a titleForm HSMV 82040, at your county tax collector, with the papers, the VIN form and proof of insurance. Ask for "mini truck" registration.
6Pay and get platesA $225 first-time plate fee, the title fee and sales tax. No safety inspection and no emissions test.

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Papers to bring to the tax collector

Customs entry form CBP 7501
DOT form HS-7
EPA form 3520-1
Japanese export certificate, with an English translation
Your bill of sale
VIN check form HSMV 82042
Title application HSMV 82040
Proof of Florida insurance (PIP and property damage)
Your driver's license

Before you buy: check your own roads

Ask your city and county whether they ban mini trucks on their roads. Florida Statute 316.2122 lets them.
Look at the trips you'd make. If you'd have to drive along a road posted 40 mph or more, a kei truck can't make that trip.
The law itself: Florida Statute 316.2122 ↗.

Sources: Fla. Stat. 316.2122, 320.072, county tax collector pages, and an owner report on MiniTruckTalk. Not legal advice.

Cost

What it costs to register one

What will you pay for the truck?We add Florida sales tax, title and the main registration fees.

TapClick the box and type your price. The total updates as you type.

Sales tax (6%): $420
Title: $75–$88
Registration: $14.50
First Florida registration (one time): $225
Main fees, first year: about $735–$748

Plus your county's sales surtax and a few small state fees. Your tax collector has the exact total.

Insurance (about $200–$400 a year, owners report) is separate. Fees change; your county tax collector has current amounts.

What	Cost
Sales tax	6% of what you paid, plus your county's surtax
First plate fee	$225, charged once when a vehicle is first registered in Florida
Title	About $75–$88: $70 (or $80 if it was registered outside Florida before), plus small service fees
Yearly registration	$14.50 base for a truck under 2,000 lb, plus small state fees
Insurance	Owners report about $200–$400 a year

Sources: Fla. Stat. 319.32, 320.072 and 320.08, and county tax collector pages. Fees change; your tax collector has exact amounts.

Roads

Where you can drive one

Only on streets posted 35 mph or less.

You can cross a faster road at an intersection, but not drive along it. Florida's default limit in business and residential areas is 30 mph, so most town streets work.

Town streetsFlorida's default limit in business and residential areas is 30 mph.Allowed
Streets posted 35 mphThe fastest roads a mini truck may use.Allowed
Roads posted 40 mph or moreNot allowed, except to cross at an intersection.Cross only

Buy

Kei trucks for sale in Florida

Florida dealers ask about $7,600 to $9,600 for a 1990s 4WD truck.

Owners say Hondas sell for more here than up north. One owner saw trucks with about 50,000 miles in east-central Florida at $5,000–$6,000.

See trucks for sale in Florida → Import cost calculator →

Real Florida prices

1993 Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo 4WDAsking · Miami dealer$9,600
1993 Subaru Sambar KS4 4WDAsking · 28,870 miles · Miami dealer$8,000
1997 Suzuki CarryAsking · Miami listing$7,995
1993 Suzuki Carry 4WDAsking · 30,000 miles · Miami dealer$7,800
1992 Subaru Sambar KS4 4WDAsking · 39,400 miles · Miami dealer$7,600

Seen Nov. 8, 2026. Not offers or guarantees. We're not paid by any dealer.

Florida kei truck dealers, by area

We haven't visited or checked these yet. Call before you drive out.

South Florida

MiamiJPM Mini Trucksjpmminitrucks.com
MiamiKuruma Importskurumaimports.com

East coast

Palm Bay, on the Space CoastFlorida Mini Trucksfloridaminitrucks.com
Ormond Beach, north of Daytona BeachTNA Imports

Florida Mini Trucks and Kuruma Imports list the same phone number, so they may be one business.

City not listed

JP Trade USAjptradeusa.com

We haven't found a dealer near Jacksonville, Tampa or Orlando yet.

Owners

What owners here say

4 stories from YouTube comments and a forum post, told in our words.

Florida ownerMiniTruckTalk forum · see the original ↗

Registering

Titled and registered a Honda Acty at the local office with a regular title and no restrictions.

Kei truck dealer customerYouTube comment · see the original ↗

Which brand

Says it depends on the area: in Florida everybody wants the Hondas and they sell for more, while buyers up north want Suzukis and Daihatsus.

Shopper in North Central FloridaYouTube comment · see the original ↗

Prices

A local seller asks about $8,000 each. Would like one of his 4WD trucks, but finds it a little steep.

Homeowner in east-central FloridaYouTube comment · see the original ↗

Prices

Has seen a couple for sale nearby with about 50,000 miles at $5,000–$6,000, and thinks they suit a homeowner or small business.

Nearby

Kei truck rules next door to Florida

Moving or buying across the line? The rules change at the border.

Live somewhere else? Check your state

TapClick the blue button. Your answer shows up right here.

Questions

Florida questions

Are kei trucks street legal in Florida?

Yes, as "mini trucks", if titled, registered and insured. They may only drive on streets posted 35 mph or less, under Florida Statute 316.2122.

Can you drive a kei truck on the highway in Florida?

No. A mini truck may only use streets posted 35 mph or less. It can cross a faster road at an intersection.

Do I need a driver's license to drive a kei truck in Florida?

Yes. Florida Statute 316.2122 says the driver of a mini truck needs a valid driver's license, the same as for a car.

What counts as a mini truck in Florida?

Florida Statute 320.01(44): a four-wheeled, reduced-dimension truck with no federal truck classification, a top speed of 55 mph, and lights, mirrors, a windshield and seat belts.

Do kei trucks need an inspection in Florida?

No safety or emissions inspection. Florida only needs a VIN check (Form HSMV 82042) for a vehicle new to the state.

How much does it cost to register a kei truck in Florida?

Plan on 6% sales tax plus county surtax, a title fee of about $75–$88, the one-time $225 fee for a first Florida registration, and the yearly registration ($14.50 base for a truck under 2,000 lb, plus small state fees).

Can my city ban kei trucks?

Yes. Florida lets counties, cities and the state DOT ban mini trucks on roads they control, if they decide it's needed for safety.

Next step

Pick your truck: compare the 5 brands

Carry, Acty, Hijet, Sambar or Minicab: see which fits your property, your height and your budget.

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