Kei Truck & Kei Car Laws in Missouri (2025)

Are Kei Trucks Legal in Missouri?

The answer is: it depends on where you live. Missouri does not have statewide authorization for kei trucks on public roads. Instead, Missouri leaves kei truck regulations to individual municipalities and counties, creating a patchwork of local ordinances across the state.

Where kei trucks are permitted, Missouri restricts them to roads with speed limits of 45 mph or lower. This means popular models like the Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, Daihatsu Hijet, and Mitsubishi Minicab are legal on local roads and some state highways, but prohibited on interstate highways and most expressways.

Additionally, Missouri does not allow vehicles to be registered as "miniature utility vehicles," which can complicate registration for modern kei trucks. The most straightforward path to registration involves importing vehicles that meet the federal 25-year rule, which exempts vehicles older than 25 years from [NHTSA Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards](https://www. For more details, check our complete guide to importing a kei truck from Japan.nhtsa.gov/importing-vehicle).

Before purchasing a kei truck in Missouri, contact your county or municipal government to determine whether local ordinances permit them in your jurisdiction. Be sure to review our pre-purchase inspection checklist.

How to Register a Kei Truck in Missouri

Registration requirements vary significantly by county. Where permitted, the Missouri Department of Revenue handles all vehicle titling and registration through local licensing offices.

Required Documents

To register a kei truck in Missouri, you'll typically need:

Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108) available at licensing offices
Proof of ownership: Bill of sale, import documentation, or out-of-state title
Missouri State Highway Patrol VIN inspection: Required for vehicles not specifically manufactured for U.S. importation
Safety inspection certificate: Form MVI-1, completed within 60 days
Emissions inspection certificate: Required in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin County, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County (Form MVI-2)
Proof of insurance meeting Missouri's minimum requirements
Payment for title, registration, and processing fees

Missouri State Highway Patrol Inspection

Missouri requires all vehicles not manufactured for U.S. import to undergo inspection by the Missouri State Highway Patrol before a certificate of title can be issued. This inspection verifies the VIN, checks for stolen vehicle status, and ensures the vehicle matches import documentation.

To schedule an inspection:

Contact your local Highway Patrol office
Bring all import paperwork, bill of sale, and customs documents
Present the vehicle for VIN verification
Receive certification to proceed with registration

Registration Costs

Missouri registration fees depend on your vehicle classification and horsepower rating:

Title fee: $11
Registration fee: $18.25 base (varies by taxable horsepower for trucks)
Processing fee: $6
Safety inspection: $12-$35 depending on inspection station
Emissions inspection: $24 (in required counties only)
Sales tax: 4.225% state rate plus local rates (varies by county)

Total first-time registration typically costs $150-$300 depending on your county and the vehicle's assessed value.

Timeline

You must title and register your vehicle within 30 days of purchase or moving to Missouri. Late registration incurs penalties of $25 plus $2 per month.

Restrictions and Limitations

Missouri imposes several significant restrictions on kei trucks that limit their practical use.

Speed Restrictions

The most important restriction: kei trucks are limited to roads with speed limits of 45 mph or lower. This means:

✅ Allowed: City streets, residential roads, rural county roads with lower speed limits
✅ Allowed: Some state highways with 45 mph speed limits
❌ Prohibited: Interstate highways (I-70, I-44, I-35, etc.)
❌ Prohibited: Most U.S. highways and expressways
❌ Prohibited: Any road with speed limit exceeding 45 mph

Local Ordinance Requirement

Even if you successfully register your kei truck with the state, you must verify that your municipality or county permits their operation. Some Missouri counties that reportedly allow kei trucks include:

Rural counties with agricultural communities
Counties with existing off-highway vehicle ordinances

Contact your county clerk or local government to confirm current ordinances before purchasing a kei truck.

Equipment Requirements

Missouri safety inspections verify that your kei truck has:

Operational headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals
Working horn
Windshield wipers in good condition
Side mirrors (both driver and passenger sides recommended)
Functional seatbelts for all seating positions
Adequate tire tread depth (minimum 2/32")
Working parking brake
No fluid leaks or visible safety defects

Registration Classification

Missouri does not have a "miniature utility vehicle" registration class, which creates challenges for newer kei trucks. Most owners register kei trucks as standard pickup trucks or light trucks, which works for vehicles meeting federal import requirements (25+ years old).

Insurance Requirements

Missouri requires all motor vehicles to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of:

Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident (optional but recommended)

Finding Insurance for Kei Trucks

Many major insurance carriers are unfamiliar with kei trucks. For more guidance, see our kei truck insurance guide. Companies known to insure them in Missouri include:

State Farm: Often insures kei trucks registered through local ordinances
Progressive: Covers specialty and imported vehicles
Hagerty: Specializes in classic vehicle insurance for kei trucks 25+ years old
American Modern: Offers policies for unusual and specialty vehicles

Expect annual liability premiums between $500-$900 depending on your location, driving record, and coverage levels.

Inspection and Emissions

Missouri requires both safety and emissions inspections, which adds complexity to kei truck ownership.

Safety Inspection

All vehicles in Missouri must pass a safety inspection within 60 days of registration. The inspection covers critical safety systems including lights, brakes, steering, suspension, tires, and glass. Safety inspections cost $12-$35 and are performed at authorized inspection stations throughout Missouri. Find inspection stations through the Missouri State Highway Patrol Motor Vehicle Inspection program.

Your kei truck must be re-inspected every two years upon registration renewal.

Emissions Testing

If you live in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin County, Jefferson County, or St. Charles County, your kei truck must pass an emissions test.

Exemptions: Vehicles model year 1995 and older are exempt from emissions testing. This means classic kei trucks meeting the 25-year import rule are typically exempt.

For newer kei trucks subject to emissions testing, most pass easily as they were designed to meet strict Japanese emissions standards. The test costs approximately $24 at authorized emissions inspection stations.

Inspection Timeline

Both safety and emissions inspections must be completed before registration and renewed biennially. Plan ahead, as some inspection stations may need time to research specifications for imported vehicles they haven't seen before.

Tips from Missouri Kei Truck Owners

Based on research and owner experiences with Missouri's complex kei truck regulations:

Verify local ordinances first: Before buying a kei truck, call your county clerk and municipal government to confirm they permit kei trucks. Getting this confirmation in writing can help if you encounter issues at the DMV.

Focus on 25+ year old models: Vehicles meeting the federal 25-year import rule avoid emissions testing and have clearer import documentation, making registration significantly easier.

Rural counties are more flexible: Rural Missouri counties with agricultural use cases tend to be more accommodating to kei truck registrations than urban areas. For a detailed comparison, see our kei truck vs UTV guide.

Get Highway Patrol inspection early: Schedule your Missouri State Highway Patrol VIN inspection as soon as you have import documentation. This can take several weeks depending on patrol office availability.

Build a relationship with an inspection station: Find an inspection station willing to work with your kei truck and build a relationship. Some inspectors are unfamiliar with kei trucks and may be hesitant to inspect them initially.

Join online communities: Missouri kei truck owners share experiences on Reddit's r/keitrucks and regional Facebook groups, including which counties are most accommodating.

Plan routes carefully: With the 45 mph restriction, map routes in advance to avoid highways. GPS apps may route you onto prohibited roads if you don't plan ahead.

Find verified kei truck dealers in Missouri in our dealer directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my kei truck on Missouri highways?

Only on highways with speed limits of 45 mph or lower. Interstate highways (I-70, I-44, etc.) and most U.S. highways are prohibited. This significantly limits long-distance travel in kei trucks across Missouri.

Do I need a special license to drive a kei truck in Missouri?

No, your standard Missouri Class F driver's license is sufficient for kei trucks under 26,000 pounds GVWR (all kei trucks qualify).

What if my county doesn't allow kei trucks?

If your county hasn't enacted an ordinance permitting kei trucks, registration and legal operation become extremely difficult. You could petition your county government to pass a local ordinance, register the vehicle in a permissive county (though this requires legal residency), or limit use to private property.

Can I use my kei truck for farm work in Missouri?

Yes, kei trucks are excellent for agricultural use and many Missouri farmers use them on private property without registration. For on-road farm use, you still need registration and must comply with local ordinances and the 45 mph speed restriction.

Are right-hand drive kei trucks harder to register in Missouri?

No, Missouri doesn't distinguish between left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles for registration. Right-hand drive is legal throughout the United States for non-commercial vehicles.

What happens if I get pulled over in my kei truck?

If properly registered with valid insurance and operating within the 45 mph speed restriction, you should have no issues. Carry your registration, proof of insurance, and documentation of local ordinance permission. Some officers may be unfamiliar with kei trucks and want to verify legitimacy.

How do I find out if my Missouri county allows kei trucks?

Contact your county clerk's office or county commission and ask specifically about ordinances permitting "mini trucks," "kei trucks," or "Japanese mini trucks" on public roads. Request written confirmation if they confirm permission.

Useful Links

Missouri's county-by-county approach to kei truck regulation creates complexity, but ownership is possible in jurisdictions with permissive ordinances. If you're researching kei truck laws in other states, explore our comprehensive state-by-state guides to compare regulations and find the best location for kei truck ownership. If you're near the border, you may also want to check kei truck laws in Iowa and Illinois.