It’s Time To Legalize Kei Trucks

If you’ve spent time traveling the Third World—or Japan—you’ve seen them: tiny pickup trucks, built for cargo, hauling lumber, produce, construction materials, or even groups of workers. They’re ubiquitous in developing countries because they’re inexpensive, fuel-efficient, and well-suited for certain types of work. Yet for decades they’ve been largely absent from U.S. roads. That’s a shame, because the humble Japanese kei truck represents the kind of practical vehicle that would benefit Americans.

Kei trucks originated in Japan after World War II as part of the country’s “kei” (or light vehicle) classification. Manufacturers such as Suzuki and Mitsubishi designed them to meet strict size and engine limits while remaining surprisingly capable work vehicles. Although they typically produce around 50 horsepower, and sometimes only have top speeds of 60mph, they can haul loads approaching 1,000 pounds while achieving fuel economy that exceeds 35mpg. 

The reason Americans rarely see kei trucks has to do with regulation, not lack of demand. Federal law prevents newer kei models because imported vehicles must comply with the same crashworthiness, lighting, and emissions standards that apply to vehicles originally sold in the U.S. Meeting those standards is not worth it for Japanese manufacturers who never intended to sell kei trucks in the American market. 

There is one notable exception: once a vehicle reaches 25 years of age, it is exempt from many of those federal safety requirements. That means Americans who want a kei truck are largely limited to importing vehicles that are at least a quarter-century old. Even then, ownership is not straightforward. Several states—including Rhode Island and Georgia—have refused to title or register many kei trucks for normal highway use, while Maine has enacted restrictions that effectively bar them from public roads. Other states permit registration only under limited classifications, such as off-road, farm, or low-speed vehicle designations. 

The Trump administration has broadly emphasized cutting regulations and boosting domestic industry, and has directed that energy towards kei trucks. During the rollout of the “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative, President Trump called the trucks “cute” and “beautiful” while criticizing barriers that prevent them from reaching U.S. soil. He tasked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy with clearing obstacles to domestic production, so that kei-style trucks could bypass import tariffs like the 25% Chicken Tax (which specifically targets light trucks). However, this directive remains in early stages and faces hurdles within the federal code.

At state level, a wave of reforms has at least expanded access to the 25+ year-old kei trucks. Last year, Texas Senate Bill 1816 formally legalized titling, registration, and on-road use after earlier DMV inconsistencies. Such reforms typically enable operation, but mandate lower speed limits, require standard insurance/safety inspections, and can vary by jurisdiction. Meanwhile in other states, such as Oregon, reform efforts failed and kei trucks remain illegal to use on public roads. 

There are compelling economic reasons to welcome these vehicles. A brand-new full-size pickup truck now sells for $66,000 on average in America. It’s hard to find even quality used trucks nowadays for under $20,000. Brand new kei trucks are often sold in Japan for under $10,000. Many plumbers, electricians, landscapers, carpenters, farmers, and other small business owners would benefit from this cheaper option and don’t need massive four-door pickups that tow 15,000 pounds. 

Kei trucks are also at times more practical. Some models feature fold-down bed sides that allow forklifts to load pallets directly from either side of the truck. Their small footprint allows them to maneuver through tight alleys, narrow driveways, and crowded work sites that would frustrate drivers of a large pickup.

The most common argument against kei trucks concerns safety. Critics point out that they lack many of the crash protections found in newer American vehicles. That observation is true, but it also raises an obvious question: are kei trucks really so dangerous that Americans cannot be trusted to choose them, while motorcycles—which offer no crash protection whatsoever—remain legal? Society routinely allows adults to accept varying risk levels. 

Environmental objections are similarly unpersuasive. Some critics argue that kei trucks fail to meet modern emissions standards. Yet this argument actually highlights the inconsistency of current policy, which allows 25-year-old vehicles but not cleaner, newer versions. Kei trucks also achieve far better fuel economy than most full-size pickups.

Ultimately, kei trucks serve as a reminder that government regulations make everyday life more expensive. Here is a vehicle that has proven itself on farms, construction sites, and city streets worldwide, and is used by millions. Yet Americans cannot purchase a new one, even though their retail value starts at about 1/10th the average price of a new pickup truck. Nor can they purchase a 25-year-old one without paying thousands in extra taxes and duties. That is because regulators have more say in what consumers can drive than consumers themselves. The Trump administration should move forward with its kei truck deregulation efforts.

Cover image available in the public domain.