Kei Vehicle Laws in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of the more restrictive states when it comes to kei vehicles on public roads. While the state does allow kei trucks and kei cars to be titled, getting them registered for street use is significantly more difficult than in neighboring states like South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia. Most kei trucks in North Carolina are used off-road for farm, property, or utility purposes rather than as street-legal vehicles. Wondering how they compare to a side-by-side? Read our kei truck vs UTV comparison.

Disclaimer: Laws and regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local North Carolina DMV office or the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) before purchasing or registering a kei vehicle. Be sure to review our pre-purchase inspection checklist.

Overview

North Carolina's stance on kei vehicles centers on whether the vehicle can meet the state's safety and equipment requirements for on-road use. The NCDMV has historically been reluctant to register kei trucks for highway use, citing concerns about their size, crash safety, and ability to maintain safe speeds on roads with higher speed limits. Kei trucks are most commonly classified as off-road or utility vehicles in North Carolina.

Kei cars, which are closer in size and performance to standard passenger vehicles, have had a somewhat easier path to registration, but success varies depending on the specific vehicle, the local DMV office, and whether the vehicle can pass the North Carolina safety inspection.

The key challenge in North Carolina is that the state requires vehicles to meet specific equipment and safety standards for road registration, and many kei trucks struggle to meet these requirements due to their compact dimensions and equipment differences from U.S.-market vehicles.

Registration Process and Requirements

For those attempting to register a kei vehicle for road use in North Carolina:

• Title: North Carolina can issue a title for a kei vehicle, even if it will not be registered for road use. You will need either a title from another state or the Japanese export certificate with translation, along with customs documentation.
• Bill of Sale: Required showing the purchase price and vehicle information.
• Customs Documentation: CBP Form 7501, EPA Form 3520-1, and DOT Form HS-7 (for imported vehicles meeting the 25-year exemption). For more details, check our complete guide to importing a kei truck from Japan.
• Safety Inspection: North Carolina requires an annual safety inspection for all registered vehicles. The inspection covers brakes, lights, tires, steering, suspension, exhaust, windshield, mirrors, and horn. See our best off-road mods guide for popular upgrades. Kei trucks may struggle to pass if the inspector is unfamiliar with the vehicle or if equipment does not meet NC standards.
• Emissions Inspection: Required in 27 North Carolina counties. Vehicles model year 1995 and older are typically exempt.
• Proof of Insurance: North Carolina requires minimum liability insurance of 30/60/25 ($30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, $25,000 for property damage).

The Off-Road Path (Most Common)

Most kei truck owners in North Carolina choose the off-road route:

1. Title the vehicle with the NCDMV for ownership documentation purposes.
2. Use the vehicle exclusively on private property, farms, or designated off-road areas.
3. No registration, insurance, or inspection is required for off-road-only use.
4. The vehicle cannot legally be driven on public roads.

The On-Road Path (Difficult but Not Impossible)

1. Gather all import and customs documentation.
2. Obtain North Carolina auto insurance.
3. Attempt to pass the NC safety inspection at a licensed inspection station.
4. Visit the NCDMV with all documents and request road registration.
5. Be prepared for potential pushback from DMV staff. Some offices have refused registration for kei trucks.

Restrictions

• Off-Road Classification: The NCDMV frequently classifies kei trucks as off-road vehicles, prohibiting street use.
• Safety Inspection Challenges: The annual safety inspection is a significant hurdle. Inspectors may flag kei vehicles for equipment that does not meet NC standards, such as headlight height, bumper height, or lack of certain safety features.
• DMV Discretion: Individual DMV offices and agents have some discretion, leading to inconsistent experiences across the state. What works at one office may not work at another.
• No Specific Kei Vehicle Legislation: North Carolina does not have a specific statute addressing kei vehicles, which creates ambiguity and leaves decisions to individual DMV offices.
• Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) Rules: Some owners have explored registering kei trucks as LSVs, but North Carolina's LSV rules have specific requirements (e.g., max speed of 25 mph) that may not align well with kei truck capabilities.

Cost Breakdown

For off-road-only use, your costs are limited to the title fee and any applicable taxes.

Recent Legislative Changes

North Carolina has not passed specific legislation addressing kei vehicles. There have been periodic discussions within the kei vehicle community about lobbying for clearer rules or a dedicated classification for kei trucks, similar to what some other states have adopted, but no formal legislation has advanced as of early 2025. See our complete state-by-state guide for details.

The lack of specific legislation is both a blessing and a curse: it means there is no explicit ban, but it also means there are no clear guidelines for DMV offices to follow, leading to the inconsistency that owners experience. If you're near the border, you may also want to check kei truck laws in Virginia and Tennessee.

Tips from Local Owners

• Title it regardless. Even if you plan to use the vehicle off-road only, getting a North Carolina title establishes legal ownership and can make the vehicle easier to sell or transfer later.
• Consider neighboring states. Some North Carolina kei vehicle enthusiasts purchase and register their vehicles in neighboring states with easier registration (like South Carolina or Tennessee) and then transfer the registration to North Carolina. However, this approach has risks and may not always work.
• Farm use is popular. Many NC kei truck owners use them on farms, hunting properties, and large rural parcels. For these purposes, no registration is needed, and the vehicles excel at light-duty hauling, towing, and navigating rough terrain.
• Build relationships. If you want to attempt street registration, finding a sympathetic DMV office and a knowledgeable inspection station is critical. Talk to other NC kei owners about which locations have been successful.
• Document everything. Bring the 25-year exemption documentation, the federal register notice, and any other supporting materials to the DMV. The more prepared you are, the better your chances.
• Watch for changes. The kei vehicle community in North Carolina continues to advocate for clearer rules. Stay connected to local groups and forums for updates on any legislative or policy changes.

Find verified kei truck dealers in North Carolina in our dealer directory.