Colorado just legalized Kai Cars.
It is the 30th state in the union to do so. But with legalization comes some limits. And every state seems to have slightly different laws. But still, they are now allowed on (many) roadways. . . in many states. If you buy one, know the laws of your state.
It is the 30th state in the union to do so. But with legalization comes some limits. And every state seems to have slightly different laws. But still, they are now allowed on (many) roadways. . . in many states. If you buy one, know the laws of your state.
FULL STORY AT THE LINK ^^^
Colorado Passes Law to Officially Allow Kei Cars Starting in 2027
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed HB25-1281 into law today, which will officially allow the state's residents to register and drive kei vehicles in 2027.
- Kei cars, a class of small four-wheel vehicles from Japan, can be brought into the U.S. under the 25-year import rule.
- Until now, Colorado lacked kei-specific regulations, creating a bit of a gray area for owners.
CLARIFICATION 5/9/25 10:45 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to mention that the law won't officially go into effect until July 1, 2027.
Score another one for the little guys. Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law HB25-1281, which will officially recognize kei vehicles as road-legal in the state and put in place the necessary framework for their titling, registration, and use. However, the law won't go into effect until July 1, 2027.
For the uninitiated, kei is short for kei-jidōsha, a Japanese term that translates to "light vehicle." Japanese regulators limit kei cars, trucks, and vans in engine size and output as well as exterior dimensions—length, width, and height—although the maximum values for each have changed over the years. Because these tiny vehicles weren't sold new in the United States, they can only be brought into the country under the 25-year import rule, which allows vehicles with non-compliant safety and emissions equipment to be given a pass if they're over a quarter-century old. Popular examples include the Honda Acty pickup and van, the Suzuki Cappuccino, and the Autozam AZ-1.
The new law comes with some stipulations. Kei vehicles cannot be driven on roads with speed limits above 55 mph. This is sensible, since these low-powered vehicles have trouble maintaining high speeds on flat ground, let alone at altitude going up a grade on I-70.
The law also clarifies how emissions testing will work for kei vehicles; instead of being subjected to a dynamometer test, the state's emissions agency will use a static two-speed idle test, which is otherwise used on vehicles from model year 1981 and prior.
The law also explicitly recognizes keis as motor vehicles for the purposes of the Uniform Motor Vehicle Law and the Certificate of Title Act. The bill had bipartisan co-sponsorship in both state houses. . . .
Just this week, friend's of ours from camp posted that their son just imported a mini truck from Japan. It has a little 3 cylinder engine.