Kei Truck & Kei Car Laws in Vermont (2025)

Are Kei Trucks Legal in Vermont?

No, kei trucks are not street legal in Vermont. The state outright bans kei vehicles from being registered or operated on public roads. Vermont is one of several northeastern states that have chosen not to accommodate Japanese mini trucks in their motor vehicle codes, regardless of the vehicle's age or condition.

While the federal NHTSA 25-year import rule allows vehicles 25 years or older to be imported without meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), individual states retain authority over vehicle registration. For more details, check our complete guide to importing a kei truck from Japan. Vermont has exercised this authority by prohibiting kei truck registration entirely.

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles does not provide a legal pathway for registering kei trucks, mini trucks, or similar Japanese utility vehicles. This includes popular models like the Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, Daihatsu Hijet, and Mitsubishi Minicab. Unlike some states that allow registration with restrictions (such as off-road only or farm use), Vermont maintains a complete ban.

How to Register a Kei Truck in Vermont

Unfortunately, there is no legitimate way to register a kei truck for on-road use in Vermont. The state's DMV will refuse registration applications for these vehicles.

For context, Vermont's standard vehicle registration process requires:

Completed Registration, Tax & Title Application (Form VD-119)
Proof of ownership (certificate of origin or valid out-of-state title)
Proof of Vermont insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
Payment of purchase and use tax (6% of purchase price)
Registration fees based on vehicle weight and type

However, kei trucks will be rejected at the application stage because they do not meet Vermont's vehicle classification requirements. The DMV maintains the right to refuse registration for vehicles that don't comply with state statutes, and kei trucks fall into this category.

New Vermont residents must register vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency, but this requirement doesn't help kei truck owners—the ban applies to all applicants regardless of whether they're transferring an out-of-state registration or registering a newly purchased vehicle.

Restrictions and Limitations

The primary restriction is absolute: kei trucks cannot be titled, registered, or legally operated on any public roads in Vermont. This includes:

Public roads and highways: All state and local roads are off-limits
City streets: Urban and suburban driving is prohibited
Parking on public property: You cannot legally park an unregistered kei truck on public streets
Farm roads that connect to public roads: Even agricultural use doesn't provide an exemption

Vermont does not offer special classifications that might accommodate kei trucks, such as:

Off-road vehicle (ORV) registration with limited road access
Farm vehicle exemptions
Special purpose vehicle designations
Low-speed vehicle (LSV) classifications

Some kei truck owners in other states have attempted to register vehicles as "antique" or "historic" vehicles, but Vermont's ban appears to apply regardless of age. The state's antique vehicle program is designed for vehicles that meet standard U.S. safety requirements, not for vehicles that were never certified for U.S. roads.

Insurance Requirements

While Vermont requires liability insurance for all registered vehicles, this point is moot for kei truck owners since registration itself is impossible. For more guidance, see our kei truck insurance guide. For reference, Vermont's minimum insurance requirements are:

$25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
$50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident (two or more people)
$10,000 property damage coverage per accident

Alternatively, Vermont accepts self-insurance with coverage of at least $115,000.

Even if you could find an insurance company willing to write a policy for a kei truck—which is unlikely given their unregistered status—having insurance doesn't override the registration ban. Companies like Hagerty that specialize in unique and imported vehicles cannot help circumvent state registration laws.

Inspection and Emissions

Vermont requires all registered vehicles to pass a safety inspection, but again, this requirement cannot be met because kei trucks cannot be registered in the first place.

For informational purposes, Vermont's inspection program includes:

Biennial safety inspections: Required every two years
Inspection timing: Must be completed within 15 days of registration
Inspection stations: Performed at state-approved inspection facilities
Inspection scope: Covers brakes, lights, steering, suspension, tires, exhaust, windshield wipers, mirrors, and safety equipment

Vermont does not have an emissions testing program as of 2020, having phased out its previous emissions inspection requirement. However, vehicles must still have functional exhaust systems and cannot produce excessive smoke.

Even if a kei truck could theoretically pass Vermont's safety inspection, the DMV would still refuse registration based on the vehicle type prohibition.

Tips from Vermont Kei Truck Owners

Due to the outright ban, there is no legitimate community of kei truck owners operating these vehicles on Vermont roads. Anyone claiming to have successfully registered a kei truck in Vermont is either:

Operating illegally and risking fines and vehicle impoundment
Confused about neighboring state registrations
Using the vehicle solely on private property

If you own a kei truck and live in Vermont, your options are limited:

Private property use only: You can legally own and operate a kei truck on your own private land without registration
Off-road recreational use: Use the vehicle on private trails, farms, or worksites that don't connect to public roads
Consider neighboring states: Some Vermont residents maintain addresses in more permissive neighboring states, though this carries legal and insurance complications
Sell and buy a compliant vehicle: Consider a compact pickup like a Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz that meets U.S. standards

Some Vermont residents have expressed frustration with the ban on kei trucks, particularly those in rural areas who see them as practical farm vehicles. Wondering how they compare to a side-by-side? Read our kei truck vs UTV comparison. However, as of 2026, there have been no legislative efforts to change the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I register a kei truck in Vermont if it's 25+ years old?

No. While the federal 25-year rule allows importation, Vermont state law prohibits registration regardless of age. The federal exemption only covers importation, not state-level registration and road use.

Q: What if I already own a kei truck and move to Vermont?

You will not be able to register it in Vermont, even if it was legally registered in your previous state. You would need to either sell the vehicle, store it for off-road use only, or maintain registration in another state (which creates insurance and legal complications).

Q: Can I get around the ban with a special license or permit?

No. Vermont does not offer special permits, licenses, or exemptions that allow kei truck operation on public roads. The ban applies universally.

Q: Are there any counties in Vermont more lenient about kei trucks?

No. State law applies uniformly across all Vermont counties. Local law enforcement cannot override state vehicle registration requirements.

Q: Will Vermont change its kei truck laws in the future?

It's impossible to predict legislative changes, but as of 2026, there are no pending bills or proposals to allow kei truck registration in Vermont. The state has shown no indication of relaxing this restriction.

Q: Can I use a kei truck on my farm without registration?

Yes. You can legally own and operate a kei truck entirely on private property without registration or insurance. However, the vehicle cannot be driven on any public roads, even to access different parcels of your property.

Q: What happens if I'm caught driving an unregistered kei truck?

You would face penalties for operating an unregistered vehicle, which can include fines, potential vehicle impoundment, and points on your driver's license. Vermont law enforcement actively enforces registration requirements.

Useful Links

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles - Official DMV website
Vehicle Registration Information - VT DMV registration page
NHTSA Importing a Vehicle - Federal import regulations
Vermont Vehicle Inspections - Inspection requirements
Vermont Registration Fees - Fee schedules
Vermont Insurance Requirements - Minimum coverage information

Conclusion

Vermont's outright ban on kei trucks makes it one of the most restrictive states for mini truck enthusiasts. Unless the law changes, anyone interested in owning a Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, or similar vehicle in Vermont will be limited to private property use only. If you're considering a kei truck purchase and live in Vermont, you may want to explore neighboring states' laws or consider alternative compact vehicles that meet U.S. certification standards.

For information about kei truck laws in other states, visit our complete state-by-state guide. If you're near the border, you may also want to check kei truck laws in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.