Checked against Oregon law, in plain words

Kei Trucks in Oregon

Not street legal yet: what the DMV says, the bill, and your options

Oregon's DMV won't title or register kei trucks in Oregon for public roads. Lawmakers from both parties tried to change that in 2025 and 2026, but the bills stalled.

Not street legal in OregonThe DMV won't plate them for public roads. HB 4063 stalled in 2026.
See your options ↓
Road platesNo
Private landYes
2026 billStalled
Proposed fee$63
The back of a white Subaru Sambar kei truck in a parking lot in western Canada
A Subaru Sambar in western Canada. Oregon owners can only use theirs off public roads.

Photo: dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons ↗

The law

What Oregon law says about kei trucks

Oregon has no law that names kei trucks. The barrier is the DMV's own rule, on its Vehicle Types page.

The key line (Oregon DMV, "Kei Vehicles/Mini-Trucks") Though many kei class vehicles can be imported, they cannot be titled or registered in Oregon because they were not manufactured for U.S. highways.
  • A mini-truck can get an Oregon title only as a Class IV ATV (ORS 801.194), which means off-road use only.
  • That definition needs off-road-only tires and a vehicle originally made for off-road use, so most kei trucks don't fit.
  • HB 4063 (2026) would have allowed road registration with a $63 fee, and reports say it kept them off roads faster than 65 mph. It got no vote.
The 2025 version, SB 1213, also died in committee. It defined a kei truck as 25+ years old, with a 660 cc engine, no more than about 11 ft long, 4.9 ft wide and 6.6 ft tall.
  1. 2025SB 1213 to allow kei trucks died in committee.
  2. Jan. 2026Democrats and Republicans teamed up on a new bill.
  3. Feb. 2, 2026HB 4063 was introduced and sent to the Transportation committee.
  4. March 6, 2026The session ended without a vote; the bill had missed the Feb. 16 committee deadline. Supporters plan to try again in 2027.

Sources: Oregon DMV, "Vehicle Types" ↗, ORS 801.194, Oregon Legislature (HB 4063, SB 1213), Motor1, Streetsblog USA, KTVZ, KPTV. Checked Nov. 9, 2026.

Options

What Oregonians can do now

No road plates yet for kei trucks in Oregon, but you still have options.

  1. 1
    Use it on private landFarms, orchards, vineyards and big properties. Owners use kei trucks off public roads.
  2. 2
    Ask about a Class IV ATV titleThe DMV can title a mini-truck as a Class IV ATV if it meets ORS 801.194: off-road-only tires, and originally made for off-road use. It stays off-road only, and riding on public off-road areas needs an Oregon ATV permit. Most kei trucks won't qualify, so ask the DMV before you buy.
  3. 3
    Ask your legislatorThe bills had support from both parties. Say you want a kei-truck bill in the next session.
  4. 4
    Don't register out of state to dodge the ruleOregon residents must register where they live. Owners note Washington trucks can drive here; that only helps visitors.
  5. 5
    Keep every import paperThe bills so far covered trucks 25+ years old. If one passes, you'll need your customs, DOT and EPA papers to register.

Before you buy one as an Oregonian

  • "Street legal" in a Washington ad means legal in Washington. It won't get you Oregon plates.
  • Plan where you'll use it: your own land, a farm or a ranch.
  • The Oregon DMV's own page: Vehicle Types ↗ (see "Kei Vehicles/Mini-Trucks").

Sources: Oregon DMV, ORS 801.194, Oregon Legislature. Not legal advice.

Roads

Can you drive one on Oregon roads?

Not with Oregon plates, for now.

Without registration, a kei truck can't legally use public roads in Oregon. On your own land, owners use them like farm equipment.

  • Private landFarms, orchards, vineyards and your own property, away from public roads.Yes
  • Public roadsThe DMV won't title or register kei trucks for the road.Not allowed
Buy

Buying a kei truck as an Oregonian

The nearest dealers we found are in Washington.

Washington titles 25+ year imports. The two dealers we found there are in Ferndale and Spokane, far from Portland. An Oregon resident still can't register one at home, so buy for private-land use.

See trucks for sale → Import cost calculator →

Prices nearby

  • 1997 Suzuki Carry DD51T 4WDAsking · 42,875 miles · Monroe, Washington$8,995
  • 2025 Daihatsu Hijet (new)Off-road use only · Spokane, Washington dealer$21,500
  • 2025 Daihatsu Hijet dump (new)Off-road use only · Spokane, Washington dealer$23,750

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

Dealers in Washington we found

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

Washington

  • Spokane, WAMini Trucks Northwestminitrucksnorthwest.com
  • Ferndale, WAThe Import Guystheimportguys.com

We haven't found a kei truck dealer in Oregon or near Portland yet.

Owners

What Oregonians say

3 stories from YouTube comments, told in our words.

Oregon residentYouTube comment · see the original ↗

The border

Points out that people from Washington can drive their kei trucks in Oregon, while Oregonians can't register their own.

Would-be buyerYouTube comment · see the original ↗

Waiting

Is about to buy one and loves the tiny trucks, but Oregon doesn't allow them while Washington does.

Portland residentYouTube comment · see the original ↗

Spotted one

Saw a kei truck parked in Portland's South Waterfront and wishes they had one.

Nearby

Kei truck rules next door to Oregon

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

Oregon questions

Are kei trucks legal in Oregon?

You can own one and use it on private land, but Oregon's DMV says kei class vehicles cannot be titled or registered here because they were not manufactured for U.S. highways.

Can a kei truck get an off-road title in Oregon?

Only if it meets the Class IV ATV definition (ORS 801.194): off-road-only tires and originally made for off-road use. Most kei trucks don't, so ask the DMV first. A Class IV ATV title doesn't allow public roads.

Will Oregon legalize kei trucks?

Maybe. HB 4063 (2026) would have allowed it with a $63 registration fee, but it got no vote before the session ended on March 6, 2026. Supporters plan to try again in 2027.

Can I register a kei truck in Washington and drive it in Oregon?

Not if you live in Oregon. Residents must register vehicles in their home state. Washington residents can drive theirs here.

Can I use a kei truck on my farm here?

Yes. Kei trucks in Oregon can work on farms, orchards and other private land, off public roads.

Are mini jeeps street legal in Oregon?

If you mean Japanese kei-class imports, like a Suzuki Jimny, they face the same problem: Oregon's DMV says kei class vehicles can't be titled or registered here for the road.

What would HB 4063 have done?

Let Oregonians title and register kei trucks, with a $63 fee and a fine up to $1,000 for illegal road use. Reports say it kept them off roads over 65 mph.

Next step

Planning ahead? Pick the right truck

If you have land to use it on now, compare the Carry, Acty, Hijet, Sambar and Minicab.

Compare kei trucks →