Checked against Indiana law, in plain words

Kei Trucks in Indiana

Street legal with a mini-truck plate: the rules, the $30 tax and where to buy

Indiana made mini-trucks legal in 2015. A truck that qualifies as a mini-truck gets a special mini-truck title and plate and can go on any road except interstates. The BMV's definition says 660cc, and many kei engines measure 656 to 657cc, so get the BMV's answer in writing before you buy.

Street legal on some roadsQualifying mini-trucks get a mini-truck title and plate. Never on interstates. Ask the BMV first: the rule says 660cc, many kei engines are 656 to 657cc.

Start my BMV checklist ↓

PlateMini-truck

InterstatesNo

Excise tax$30 a year

Engine rule660cc: ask BMV

A white 1993 Mitsubishi Minicab 4WD kei truck parked in front of trees — A 1993 Mitsubishi Minicab 4WD.

The law

What Indiana law says about kei trucks

House Enrolled Act 1047 (2015) created a mini-truck class with its own title, plate and tax.

The key rule (Indiana BMV) A truck that meets the definition of a mini-truck is not permitted to be operated on an interstate.

A mini-truck has an engine of at least 660cc. Many kei engines measure a little under that (the Carry's is 657cc, the Acty's 656cc), so ask the BMV in writing whether your truck qualifies.
It needs a mini-truck title and a mini-truck plate.
Insurance is required.
It pays a flat $30 excise tax each year.

In counties with emissions testing, the first registration needs a Vehicle Inspection Report declaring the truck exempt.

2010The Indiana House first passed a bill to allow mini-trucks on local roads.
2015HEA 1047 became law: mini-truck title, plate and a $30 excise tax.

Sources: Indiana BMV mini-truck title and registration pages ↗, HEA 1047 (2015). Checked Nov. 9, 2026.

How to title and register a kei truck in Indiana

For kei trucks in Indiana, the first mini-truck title goes through the BMV by mail. After that, any branch can help.

Your Indiana BMV checklistTick each step as you do it.

1Check the ageMost kei trucks come in under the federal 25-year exemption, counted from the month the truck was built. In November 2026, that means built in October 2001 or earlier. A truck built in November 2001 turns 25 on its build day this month, so check the exact date (if you don’t know it, wait until Dec. 1, 2026). Buying one that is already in the US? The import is done; you need its import papers.
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.
3Mail the mini-truck title packetFirst-time mini-truck titles are issued by BMV Central Office Title Processing. A truck titled as anything else must be retitled as a mini-truck.
4Buy Indiana insuranceProof of insurance is required to register a mini-truck.
5Emissions county? Get the exemptionIn Lake and Porter counties, the test site gives you a Vehicle Inspection Report marking it exempt. Only needed the first time.
6Register at any BMV branchYou get a mini-truck plate and pay the registration fee and the $30 excise tax.

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Papers for the mini-truck title packet

Customs entry form CBP 7501
DOT form HS-7
EPA form 3520-1
Japanese export certificate, with an English translation
Your bill of sale
Proof of Indiana insurance
Vehicle Inspection Report, if you live in Lake or Porter County

If a BMV branch isn't sure

That's expected for the first title. Calmly mention:

The BMV's own page: Mini-Trucks ↗. First-time mini-truck titles come from BMV Central Office Title Processing; after that, any branch can help.
On paper:

Still stuck? Ask politely to speak with a supervisor.

Sources: Indiana BMV mini-truck pages. Not legal advice.

Cost

What it costs to register one

What	Cost
Excise tax	$30 a year, flat, set by law for mini-trucks
Registration	The standard registration fee, plus county and city excise where charged
Title	$15
Sales tax	7% of what you paid
Insurance	Owners report about $200–$400 a year

Sources: Indiana BMV and HEA 1047 (2015). The BMV fee chart has current amounts.

Roads

Where you can drive one

Any road except interstates.

That leaves county roads, state roads and town streets. Owners use them to plow snow and haul mulch, and one drives a Sambar to work at the Subaru of Indiana plant.

Town streetsAllowed.Allowed
County and state roadsAllowed. Where most Indiana owners drive.Allowed
InterstatesNever, for a mini-truck.Never

Buy

Kei trucks for sale in Indiana

Indiana dealers ask about $9,000 to $12,500.

A truck bought out of state still needs an Indiana mini-truck title before it gets plates. Allow time for the mailed title packet.

See trucks for sale in Indiana → Import cost calculator →

Real Indiana prices

2000 Daihatsu HijetAsking · Indiana dealer$12,500
1999 Honda ActyAsking · Indiana dealer$11,000
1999 Daihatsu HijetAsking · Indiana dealer$10,500
2000 Honda ActyAsking · Indiana listing$9,000

Seen Nov. 7⁠–⁠8, 2026. Not offers or guarantees. We're not paid by any dealer.

Indiana kei truck dealers we found

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

kei-trucks.comKei Trucks AmericaIndiana location not confirmed

Owners

What Hoosiers say

2 stories from YouTube comments, told in our words.

Owner of a 1996 HijetYouTube comment · see the video ↗

Snowplow

Loves the Hijet after two months and just got a snowplow for it. Notes Indiana allows on-road use, just not interstates.

Sambar ownerYouTube comment · see the video ↗

Daily use

Says it's the size of a side-by-side but better equipped, and licensed for the road. Drives it to work at the Subaru of Indiana plant and hauls mulch home.

Nearby

Kei truck rules next door to Indiana

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

Live somewhere else? Check your state

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

Questions

Indiana questions

Are kei trucks legal in Indiana?

Yes. Indiana titles and registers them as mini-trucks with a mini-truck plate. They may not be driven on interstates.

Can you drive a kei truck on the interstate in Indiana?

No. The BMV says a mini-truck is not permitted to be operated on an interstate.

What counts as a mini-truck in Indiana?

A truck with an internal combustion engine of at least 660cc that's driven on a highway. Many kei engines measure a little under 660cc (the Carry's is 657cc), and we found no BMV guidance on that, so get the BMV's answer for your truck in writing.

How much is the excise tax on a mini-truck in Indiana?

A flat $30 a year, set by HEA 1047 in 2015, plus any county or city excise tax.

Do kei trucks need an emissions test in Indiana?

Not a test. In Lake and Porter counties, the first registration needs a Vehicle Inspection Report marking the truck exempt.

Where do I get a mini-truck title in Indiana?

The first one comes from BMV Central Office Title Processing, by mail. After that, any BMV branch can register it.

Next step

Pick your truck: compare the 5 brands

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

Compare kei trucks →