Kei Truck & Kei Car Laws in Nebraska (2025)

Are Kei Trucks Legal in Nebraska?

Yes, but with significant restrictions. Nebraska allows kei trucks on public roads, but only on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or lower. This means popular models like the Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, Daihatsu Hijet, and Mitsubishi Minicab are legal for local street use but prohibited from highways, expressways, and interstates.

According to Nebraska law and DMV regulations, Japanese mini trucks can be used on public roads except freeways, expressways, and interstates. The 35 mph speed limit restriction significantly limits where you can legally operate a kei truck in Nebraska, essentially confining them to residential streets, rural county roads, and some city streets.

Nebraska officially recognizes "minitrucks" as a vehicle category, which provides clarity compared to states where kei trucks exist in regulatory gray areas. However, the strict speed restrictions mean Nebraska is best suited for kei truck owners who need local transportation or use their vehicles primarily for farm work, small business deliveries, or recreational purposes rather than highway travel. See how they stack up in our kei truck vs UTV comparison.

Vehicles 25 years or older benefit from the federal NHTSA 25-year import rule, which exempts them from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and simplifies the importation process. For more details, check our complete guide to importing a kei truck from Japan.

How to Register a Kei Truck in Nebraska

Nebraska requires kei trucks to be registered through the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles at your county treasurer's office.

Required Documents

To register your kei truck in Nebraska, gather these documents:

Application for Certificate of Title: Form RV-707 (available at county treasurer's office)
Proof of ownership: Bill of sale, import documentation, or out-of-state title
Vehicle inspection: Required if proof of ownership is not a Nebraska Certificate of Title
Assigned ID Number Application: Required if the minitruck doesn't have a manufacturer's VIN
Proof of insurance: Meeting Nebraska's minimum liability requirements
Import documentation: Customs forms, HS-7 declaration, DOT and EPA compliance stickers
Payment: For title, registration, and applicable fees

Vehicle Identification Number

If your kei truck doesn't have a manufacturer's identification number recognized by Nebraska, you must submit an Assigned ID Number Application to the DMV. The state will issue a state-assigned identification number for your vehicle, which becomes the permanent VIN for titling and registration purposes.

Contact the Nebraska DMV at (402) 471-3918 if you have questions about VIN assignment for your specific minitruck.

Vehicle Inspection Requirement

A vehicle inspection is required if your proof of ownership is anything other than a Nebraska Certificate of Title. The inspection verifies:

VIN authenticity and matches documentation
Vehicle condition and safety equipment
Odometer reading
No alterations or damage indicating salvage status

Inspections are performed at authorized inspection stations and county treasurer's offices throughout Nebraska. There's typically no separate fee for this inspection beyond processing fees.

Model Year Determination

If the model year cannot be determined from your kei truck's documentation, Nebraska will issue the title with the model year indicated as the year the application for title is presented. This can affect registration fees and insurance premiums, so provide manufacturer documentation if possible.

Registration Costs

Nebraska vehicle registration fees vary by county and vehicle type:

Title fee: $10
Registration fee: Varies by county, typically $30-$75 for light trucks
License plate fee: $15 for standard plates
County fees: Vary by county, typically $5-$15
Vehicle inspection: Generally no separate fee
Motor vehicle tax: Based on vehicle value and age (1-3.5% of MSRP/value)

Total first-time registration costs typically range from $150-$350 depending on your county, the vehicle's assessed value, and applicable taxes.

Timeline

For first-time registration in Nebraska, visit your county treasurer's office as soon as you have complete documentation. While Nebraska doesn't specify a strict deadline for new purchases, registering promptly avoids potential complications.

Restrictions and Limitations

Nebraska's 35 mph speed limit restriction is the most significant limitation for kei truck owners.

Speed and Road Type Restrictions

The defining restriction: kei trucks are prohibited from roads where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph. This means:

✅ Allowed: Residential streets (typically 25-30 mph speed limits)
✅ Allowed: City streets with 35 mph limits
✅ Allowed: Rural county roads with 35 mph or lower limits
✅ Allowed: Private property, farms, and industrial sites
❌ Prohibited: Freeways and interstates (I-80, I-76, I-129, I-180, I-480, I-680)
❌ Prohibited: Expressways and controlled-access highways
❌ Prohibited: U.S. highways (U.S. 20, U.S. 30, U.S. 75, etc.)
❌ Prohibited: State highways with speed limits above 35 mph
❌ Prohibited: Most arterial roads in urban areas

This restriction makes long-distance travel impractical and confines kei trucks primarily to local use.

Equipment Requirements

To be street legal in Nebraska, your kei truck must have:

Functioning headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals
Working windshield wipers
Side mirrors providing adequate rear visibility
Horn in working condition
Seatbelts for all seating positions
Adequate braking system
DOT and EPA compliance stickers (for imported vehicles)

Federal Compliance Requirements

All imported vehicles must have DOT and EPA stickers affixed as evidence of compliance with U.S. federal equipment and safety standards. For vehicles 25+ years old, the NHTSA 25-year exemption simplifies this requirement.

Newer kei trucks (less than 25 years old) must meet stringent safety and emissions standards, which can be challenging due to their design differences from typical U.S. vehicles.

Local County Regulations

While state law sets the baseline, individual counties may impose additional restrictions or registration requirements. Check with your county treasurer's office for any local regulations affecting kei truck registration and use.

Insurance Requirements

Nebraska 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

Proof of financial responsibility must be provided during registration in the form of an original insurance document—photocopies or digital copies are not accepted for initial registration.

Finding Insurance for Kei Trucks

Many traditional insurance carriers are unfamiliar with kei trucks, but several companies cover them in Nebraska:

State Farm: Often insures properly registered kei trucks
Progressive: Covers specialty and imported vehicles
Farm Bureau: Nebraska Farm Bureau often insures agricultural kei trucks
Hagerty: Specializes in classic vehicle insurance for kei trucks 25+ years old
American Modern: Covers unusual and specialty vehicles

Annual liability insurance premiums typically range from $400-$800 depending on your location, driving record, and coverage limits. Farm-based kei trucks may qualify for agricultural vehicle rates with lower premiums.

Inspection and Emissions

Nebraska has relatively simple inspection and emissions requirements compared to many states.

No Annual Safety Inspection

Nebraska does not require periodic vehicle safety inspections for standard passenger vehicles and light trucks. Once your kei truck passes the initial registration inspection (if required), there's no annual or biennial safety inspection requirement.

Emissions Testing

Nebraska does not require emissions testing to register automobiles statewide. The state has no mandatory emissions inspection program for passenger vehicles or light trucks, including kei trucks.

Exception: Emissions testing is mandatory in Douglas and Sarpy counties (Omaha metropolitan area). However, specific exemptions apply:

New vehicles are exempt
Motorcycles are exempt
Diesel-powered vehicles are exempt
Vehicles 25+ years old may be exempt

Most kei trucks have small gasoline engines under 660cc that typically pass emissions testing easily when required. New to kei vehicles? Start with our beginner's guide to kei trucks. If you live in Douglas or Sarpy County, verify current emissions requirements with your county treasurer's office.

VIN Inspection

The one-time VIN inspection during initial registration ensures the vehicle identification number matches documentation and the vehicle hasn't been stolen or salvaged. After initial registration, no recurring inspections are required.

Tips from Nebraska Kei Truck Owners

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

Map your routes carefully: The 35 mph restriction eliminates most through roads. Use GPS apps to identify permitted routes, or learn your local street network to avoid accidentally using prohibited roads.

Farm and ranch use is ideal: If you're using your kei truck for agricultural purposes on private property and local roads, Nebraska's regulations work well. The speed restriction matters less for farm-to-field transportation.

Small business local deliveries work: Landscaping companies, small contractors, and local delivery services can effectively use kei trucks within the 35 mph restriction for neighborhood-based work.

Get VIN assignment early: If your kei truck lacks a recognized VIN, start the Assigned ID Number Application process immediately. This can add several weeks to registration.

Focus on 25+ year old models: Older kei trucks benefit from federal import exemptions and may avoid emissions testing in Douglas and Sarpy counties.

Insurance takes persistence: Some agents haven't encountered kei trucks before. For more guidance, see our kei truck insurance guide. Be prepared to educate them or try multiple carriers. Having your DMV registration paperwork ready helps.

Rural Nebraska is more accommodating: Rural counties with lower-speed road networks align better with kei truck capabilities than urban areas dominated by higher-speed arterials.

Join owner communities: Connect with other Nebraska kei truck owners through Reddit's r/keitrucks to share experiences with registration, insurance, and practical use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my kei truck on Nebraska highways?

No, kei trucks are prohibited from freeways, expressways, and any roads where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph. This includes all interstate highways, U.S. highways, and most state highways in Nebraska.

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

No, your standard Nebraska Class O operator's license is sufficient for kei trucks under 26,000 pounds GVWR (which includes all kei trucks).

What if my kei truck doesn't have a VIN?

Submit an Assigned ID Number Application to the Nebraska DMV. The state will assign a permanent identification number for your vehicle. Contact the DMV at (402) 471-3918 for specific guidance.

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

Yes, kei trucks are excellent for agricultural use and popular on Nebraska farms. The 35 mph restriction doesn't significantly impact farm-to-field use on private property and local roads. You may qualify for agricultural vehicle insurance rates.

Are right-hand drive kei trucks legal in Nebraska?

Yes, Nebraska doesn't prohibit right-hand drive vehicles. Right-hand drive configuration is legal throughout the United States for non-commercial use, including in Nebraska.

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

If properly registered with valid insurance and operating on a road with a 35 mph or lower speed limit, you should have no issues. Carry your registration, insurance proof, and driver's license. Some officers may be unfamiliar with kei trucks and want to verify registration.

Can I use my kei truck commercially in Nebraska?

Yes, though commercial use may require commercial insurance. Many small businesses use kei trucks for local deliveries, landscaping, and service work within the 35 mph restriction. Consult your insurance agent about commercial coverage.

Useful Links

Nebraska's official recognition of minitrucks provides clarity, but the 35 mph speed restriction limits their practical utility to local use. If you're primarily using a kei truck for farm work, small business local deliveries, or residential transportation, Nebraska's regulations are workable. For information about kei truck laws in states with fewer restrictions, explore our comprehensive state-by-state guides. If you're near the border, you may also want to check kei truck laws in South Dakota and Iowa.