Is a Kei Truck Street Legal in Utah?

Is a Kei Truck street legal in Utah?

Yes, through a route many older guides miss. House Bill 441 of 2024 created a novel vehicle registration in Utah Code Title 41, Chapter 27, which took effect January 1, 2025. When the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) cannot place a vehicle in a category from its identification number, the owner describes the vehicle and its purpose. If that description fits an existing category, the vehicle registers there. If it does not clearly fit, it registers as a novel vehicle under Utah Code § 41-27-201.

A Japanese chassis number does not decode the way a 17-digit VIN does, so Kei imports typically end up in that review. The State Tax Commission's first annual report on the program, presented to the Legislature's Transportation Interim Committee on October 15, 2025, counted 231 Kei-class cars registered as novel vehicles. The report calls them cars, so ask whether your truck will be handled the same way. If you disagree with the decision, you have 14 days to appeal to the Tax Commission.

The fees are unusual. A novel vehicle pays a $1 annual registration fee and a $1 annual fee in lieu of property tax. A vehicle already registered as novel keeps that status unless the Legislature changes the law.

Where can you drive a Kei Truck in Utah?

Utah Code § 41-6a-1509 sets the road rules for a street-legal novel vehicle:

• Interstates: never.
• Salt Lake County: in a county of the first class (currently only Salt Lake), also stay off highways near a grade-separated section where the posted limit tops 50 mph.
• Speed: you may not exceed the posted limit or 50 mph, whichever is lower. That caps your driving speed. It does not close roads posted higher.
• Faster roads: on a highway posted above 50 mph, keep to the extreme right side and carry a reflector or reflective tape at the front and back of both sides.
• Closed land: the section does not open any area that is closed to motor vehicles.

The 50 mph figure in older guides came from the street-legal ATV rules in the same section. It now covers novel vehicles too, as a cap on speed. Next door, Wyoming also keeps its multipurpose class off interstates but sets no speed cap.

How do you get a Utah title and plate for a Kei Truck?

Start with the DMV, which says a novel vehicle needs Tax Commission approval before it is titled or registered, a VIN inspection on form TC-661 for a first Utah title, and a safety inspection at the first street-legal registration. The title application is form TC-656. Our importing guide covers the federal papers, and our explainer on the 25-year rule covers eligibility.

1. Ask the DMV how it will classify the truck

   Give the Utah DMV the make, model, chassis number and purpose of the truck, and ask whether it will go in an existing category or register as a novel vehicle.

2. Assemble the import file

   Bring customs entry papers, the HS-7 declaration marked box 1, EPA Form 3520-1, the Japanese export certificate with a certified English translation, and your bill of sale.

3. Get the VIN inspection

   A first Utah title needs a VIN inspection recorded on form TC-661.

4. Pass the safety inspection

   For street-legal registration, have the truck inspected against the equipment list in Utah Code § 41-6a-1509.

5. Title, register and insure

   File form TC-656, pay the fees and carry liability insurance before the truck goes on a public road. If you disagree with the classification, appeal to the Tax Commission within 14 days.

For street use, § 41-6a-1509 lists the equipment the truck must carry: two headlamps, two tail lamps, a white plate lamp, red rear reflectors, two stop lamps, a turn signal at each corner, service brakes, a horn, a muffler and emission controls that meet Utah's equipment rules, mirrors on both sides, a windshield or eye protection, a speedometer lit for night use, seat belts for side-by-side seating, a seat 20 to 40 inches high, and tires that still have 2/32 inch of tread or more.

Inspection, emissions and insurance

The safety inspection happens at the first street-legal registration, so a truck with a dead bulb or a cracked mirror fails at the worst moment. Check Kei Truck lights and mirrors before inspection day, and use the buying guide to judge a truck's condition before you bid.

Five counties run emissions programs: Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber and Cache. The novel vehicle law does not say how those programs treat a novel vehicle, so ask your county before you register. Carry liability insurance before the truck goes on a public road. For other states, see Kei Truck laws by state.