Not confirmed by Montana yet: what we found

Kei Trucks in Montana

The MVD mini-truck route, Form MV70A, and the LLC question

No Montana law names kei trucks, but MVD's 2026 title manual covers Japanese mini-trucks as unconventional light vehicles. You choose street use or off-highway, not both. Since Oct. 23, 2024, a truck with an intact chain of ownership no longer needs a bonded (break/bond) title. Ask your county treasurer to confirm the steps for your truck.

A route exists: ask first in MontanaMVD's 2026 title manual has a mini-truck route: street use with Form MV70A, or off-highway. Ask your county to confirm.
See what to ask ↓
Kei lawNone
Title manualMini-truck route
Sales taxNone
AskCounty treasurer
A white 1995 Suzuki Carry 4x4 kei truck on display at an indoor car show
A 1995 Suzuki Carry 4x4 at a classic car show.

Photo: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons ↗

The law

What Montana rules say about kei trucks

No statute names them, but MVD's own title manual (2026) covers them.

What we found
  • The manual lists Japanese mini-trucks as unconventional light vehicles.
  • The owner chooses street use or off-highway vehicle. The manual says it can't be licensed as both.
  • For street use, you fill in Form MV70A, a self-certified equipment checklist for unconventional vehicles.
  • Since Oct. 23, 2024, a mini-truck with an intact chain of ownership doesn't need the break/bond (bonded) title process; it goes through the unconventional light vehicle process. If your ownership papers are incomplete, a bonded title may still apply.
  • Montana has no sales tax and no state emissions test.
These points come from a copy of the 2026 manual; its server often blocks automated readers. The manual doesn't settle every case, so ask your county treasurer which documents your truck needs.

Sources: Montana MVD title manual (PDF, mvdmt.gov) ↗ (2026), sections on unconventional light vehicles and Japanese mini-trucks; MVD Form MV70A. Checked Nov. 9, 2026; mini-truck route re-checked Nov. 14, 2026.

Options

How titling works in Montana

Montanans start at the county treasurer's motor vehicle office.

  1. 1
    Ask for the mini-truck stepsAsk your county treasurer for the Japanese mini-truck section of the MVD title manual.
  2. 2
    Check your ownership papersWith an intact chain of ownership, the manual says no bonded (break/bond) title is needed, since Oct. 23, 2024. Missing papers may mean a bonded title (Form MV10).
  3. 3
    Choose street use or off-highwayFor street use, fill in Form MV70A, the unconventional vehicle checklist. A truck can't be licensed both ways.
  4. 4
    Collect 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.
  5. 5
    Ask which plate you'll getRegular plates and off-highway plates allow very different roads.

What to ask your county treasurer

  • What are the mini-truck steps in MVD's title manual? Do I need a bonded title (Form MV10) and a VIN inspection (Form MV20)?
  • Will the truck get a regular plate or an off-highway vehicle plate?

Sources: Montana MVD and county treasurers. Not legal advice.

Roads

Where you can drive one

Depends on the plate: regular or off-highway.

Reports differ, and one guide says roads over 35 mph are off limits. Get the answer for your truck in writing from your county.

  • Private landAlways fine, plates or not.Yes
  • Public roadsDepends on the plate you get: regular or off-highway.Depends on plate
Buy

Buying a kei truck in Montana

No Montana dealers we could confirm. The nearest we found are in Washington; some owners import directly.

Montana has no sales tax, which helps. Washington dealers ask about $8,000–$9,000 for late-1990s 4WD trucks.

See trucks for sale → Import cost calculator →

Prices nearby

  • 1997 Honda Acty 4WDAsking · 46,262 miles · Ferndale, Washington$7,995
  • 1998 Honda ActyAsking · Washington dealer$8,900
  • 1994 Honda ActyAsking in Japan · before shipping and duty$2,401

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

Nearby

Kei truck rules next door to Montana

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

Montana questions

Are kei trucks legal in Montana?

There is a route, but confirm it first. No law names them, but MVD's 2026 title manual covers Japanese mini-trucks: street use with Form MV70A, or off-highway. Ask your county treasurer.

How do I title a kei truck in Montana?

MVD's manual says a mini-truck with an intact chain of ownership goes through the unconventional light vehicle process, without a bonded title (since Oct. 23, 2024). For street use, add Form MV70A. Confirm with your county.

What about registering a kei truck through a Montana LLC?

Sellers promote this so out-of-state owners skip their own state's rules. Your home state may treat that as evading registration. We don't recommend it.

Does Montana charge sales tax on vehicles?

No. Montana has no general sales tax.

Can a kei truck get off-highway plates in Montana?

Yes. The manual lets you choose off-highway instead of street use, but not both. Off-highway plates limit where you can drive.

Where can I buy a kei truck near Montana?

We found no Montana dealers. Washington is the closest place to shop.

Next step

Got the county's answer? Pick the right truck

Compare the Carry, Acty, Hijet, Sambar and Minicab for snow, gravel and ranch work.

Compare kei trucks →