Checked against Virginia law, in plain words

Kei Trucks in Virginia

Street legal at 25 years old: how to register, the inspection and the bill to watch

Virginia's DMV titles kei trucks like other 25-year-old imports, with full registration. Owners of kei trucks in Virginia report getting them on the road without trouble.

Yes, street legal in VirginiaImports declared 25+ years old get a Virginia title and full registration.

Start my DMV checklist ↓

Truck age25+ years

PlatesRegular

Safety inspectionYearly

2026 billTo 2027

A white 1992 Honda Acty SDX 4WD kei truck at a car show, with people looking at it — A 1992 Honda Acty SDX 4WD drawing a crowd at a car show.

The law

What Virginia rules say about kei trucks

There's no kei-truck law in Virginia yet. The DMV's import policy covers them.

The key line (Virginia DMV policy VLIC-3.330, HS-7 table) Box 1, "Vehicle is over 25 years old": VA Title, Full Registration.

If box 8, "Off Road Vehicles", is ticked instead, the DMV gives only a nonnegotiable title and no registration.
No rule limits which roads a registered kei truck may use.
Like any other vehicle here, it needs a yearly safety inspection.

A 2026 bill, HB 219, would set kei-specific rules; reports say it would bar them from roads posted 55 mph or more. It was carried over to the 2027 session.

Feb. 25, 2025The DMV updated its import policy, VLIC-3.330.
Jan. 29, 2026HB 219, a kei vehicle bill, was continued to 2027 in committee.

Sources: Virginia DMV VLIC-3.330 (rev. Feb. 25, 2025) ↗, Virginia Legislative Information System (HB 219). Checked Nov. 9, 2026.

How to title and register a kei truck in Virginia

Six steps at a DMV customer service center.

Your Virginia DMV 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. The HS-7 must show box 1 (over 25 years old), not box 8 (off-road). Papers in Japanese need English translations, and ownership papers must be originals.
3Buy insuranceYou need liability insurance to register.
4Title and register at the DMVFill out form VSA 17A and bring it with your import papers to a DMV customer service center.
5Pass the safety inspectionEvery registered vehicle here needs a yearly safety inspection at a licensed station.
6Emissions, if you live in Northern VirginiaAsk DEQ whether your truck is exempt. Older vehicles are often exempt.

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Papers to bring to the DMV

Title application VSA 17A
DOT form HS-7, with box 1 ticked (over 25 years old)
Customs entry form CBP 7501
EPA form 3520-1
The original Japanese export certificate, with an English translation
A bill of sale, if the export certificate isn't in your name
Proof of address, if the DMV asks

If the DMV office isn't sure

Kei trucks are less common at some offices. Calmly show them:

The DMV's own policy: VLIC-3.330 ↗. Its HS-7 table says box 1 gets a Virginia title and full registration.
The same policy tells staff not to turn customers away when they're unsure, and to send the papers to the Titling Work Center for review.
On paper:

Still stuck? Ask politely to speak with a supervisor.

Sources: Virginia DMV and DEQ. Not legal advice.

Cost

What it costs to register one

What	Cost
Titling tax	4.15% of what you paid
Title	$15
Registration	Set by weight; light trucks are at the low end
Safety inspection	About $20 a year at a licensed station
Insurance	Owners report about $200–$400 a year

Sources: Virginia DMV and owner reports. Confirm current amounts with the DMV.

Roads

Where you can drive one

No special road limits today.

One owner points out that rural Virginia roads top out at 55 mph, which suits a kei truck. Watch HB 219: if it passes in 2027, it may add road limits.

Town streetsEasy at kei truck speeds.Good fit
Rural roadsMany rural Virginia roads top out at 55 mph.Good fit
Interstates (up to 70 mph)Allowed today, but most kei trucks top out at 50⁠–⁠65 mph.Too fast for most

Buy

Kei trucks for sale in Virginia

Few dealers in-state. Many buyers import directly or shop in New Jersey.

One owner imported a 1995 Acty 4x4 through Newport News for about $3,000 including shipping. New Jersey dealers ask $5,700–$6,900 for late-1990s 4WD trucks.

See trucks for sale in Virginia → Import cost calculator →

Prices in and near Virginia

1995 Honda Acty 4x4, self-importTruck plus shipping to Newport News · owner report~$3,000
1998 Honda Acty 4WDAsking · 54,142 miles · New Jersey dealer$5,700
1999 Suzuki Carry 4WDAsking · 95,777 miles · New Jersey dealer$6,900

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

Virginia dealers we found

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

ChristiansburgDuncan Imports & Classic Carsduncanimports.com
Owners report buying kei trucks thereVirginia Auto Mall

Owners

What Virginians say

3 stories from YouTube comments, told in our words.

New Virginia ownersYouTube comment · see the video ↗

Getting plates

Got a kei truck a month ago, weren't sure it could be made street legal, and had no problem. It's been far more useful than they expected.

Buyer near the coastYouTube comment · see the video ↗

Importing

Ordered a low-mile 1995 Acty 4x4 with a 5-speed from Japan, shipped to Newport News. Truck plus shipping came to about $3,000.

Rural VirginianYouTube comment · see the video ↗

Roads

Notes rural Virginia roads max out at 55 mph, and the nearest faster road is 30 miles away: a good fit for a kei truck.

Nearby

Kei truck rules next door to Virginia

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

Virginia questions

Are kei trucks legal in Virginia?

Yes. The DMV gives a Virginia title and full registration to imports declared over 25 years old on the HS-7 form.

Do kei trucks need an inspection in Virginia?

Yes, the same yearly safety inspection as any other vehicle, at a licensed inspection station.

Why won't Virginia register my "off-road" kei truck?

Check the HS-7 form. If box 8 (off-road vehicle) is ticked instead of box 1 (over 25 years old), the DMV policy allows only a nonnegotiable title and no registration.

Are kei trucks limited to 35 mph in Virginia?

We found no current rule that limits where a registered kei truck can drive. A 2026 bill, carried over to 2027, may add limits.

What is Virginia HB 219?

A 2026 bill on licensing and registering kei vehicles. Reports say it would keep them off roads posted 55 mph or more. It was continued to the 2027 session.

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

Plan on the 4.15% titling tax, a $15 title fee, the registration fee by weight and a yearly safety inspection.

Where can I buy a kei truck in Virginia?

Few dealers sell kei trucks in Virginia. Many owners import directly through ports like Newport News or buy from New Jersey dealers.

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 →