Checked against Kentucky law, in plain words

Kei Trucks in Kentucky

Legal where your county or city opts in: SB 63, the sheriff inspection and the road limits

Since June 27, 2025, a state law lets kei trucks on the road as special purpose vehicles, but only where a county or city has opted in. You need a sheriff inspection and a $10 yearly registration.

Only in some counties in KentuckyWhere a county or city opts in under SB 63, after a sheriff inspection.

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Who decidesCounty or city

InspectionSheriff, $25

Registration$10 a year

SinceJune 27, 2025

A dark red Subaru Sambar kei truck parked on grass beside a road — A red Subaru Sambar parked by a road.

The law

What Kentucky law says about minitrucks

Senate Bill 63 (2025) created street-legal "special purpose vehicles", a group that includes minitrucks.

The law (SB 63, Acts Chapter 89 of 2025)

Local governments decide whether to allow them, by ordinance, and may set stricter rules.
Every truck needs a sheriff's inspection before titling: $25, plus $20 if the deputy travels to it.
Registration costs $10 a year.
Minitrucks may not use highways built under a federal highway program.
Trips on highways with painted center lines are capped at 20 miles.
The law also asks for a roll bar or roll cage and seat belts, and insurance like a motorcycle's. Ask your inspector how they treat a kei truck's enclosed cab.

Counties are moving at different speeds. Christian County and Barren County have opted in; others are still waiting.

June 27, 2025SB 63 took effect.
Oct. 2025Barren County approved them on certain roads.

Sources: Kentucky General Assembly (SB 63, 2025) ↗, Kentucky Association of Counties, Kentucky form TC 96-365, WKYT. Checked Nov. 9, 2026.

How to register a kei truck in Kentucky

Six steps for kei trucks in Kentucky, starting with your county.

Your Kentucky checklistTick each step as you do it.

1Check your county or cityAsk your county clerk whether your county or city has opted in under SB 63, and on which roads.
2Check 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.
3Get 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 owner says titling a direct import can depend on which clerk you get.
4Book the sheriff inspectionUse form TC 96-365. The fee is $25, plus $20 if the deputy comes to you.
5Buy insuranceYou need liability insurance to register.
6Title and registerAt your county clerk. Registration is $10 a year.

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Papers to bring to the county clerk

Inspection form TC 96-365, completed
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 insurance

Before you buy: check your county or city

Ask your county clerk whether your county or city has passed an SB 63 ordinance, and which roads it covers.
Map your trips: no federal-aid highways, and no more than 20 miles on roads with a painted center line.
The law itself: SB 63 (2025) ↗.

Sources: Kentucky SB 63, KACo and county sheriffs. Not legal advice.

Cost

What it costs

What	Cost
Sheriff inspection	$25, plus $20 if the deputy travels
Registration	$10 a year
Title and taxes	Usual county clerk fees and usage tax
Insurance	Owners report about $200–$400 a year

Sources: Kentucky Association of Counties and form TC 96-365.

Roads

Where you can drive one

Roads your county or city allows, never federal-aid highways.

On highways with painted center lines, trips are limited to 20 miles. Counties can be stricter, so read your local ordinance.

Roads your county or city allowsAfter an ordinance, inspection and registration.If allowed
Center-line highwaysTrips are capped at 20 miles.20 miles max
Federal-aid highwaysNot allowed.No