Colorado legalizes kei vehicles statewide!

Driving Kei Trucks in Colorado: What You Need to Know

In May 2025, Colorado released more great news for JDM fans, embracing kei vehicles and paving the way for local registration state wide.

Thanks to HB25-1281, kei-class vehicles are now legally recognized for road use. The law also sets a framework for statewide registration, which will go into effect July 1, 2027. Until then, local registration depends on your county’s rules. 

But there’s better news. No matter where you live in Colorado, you have a clear path to cruising in your street-legal kei truck. 

Registering Locally 

Some Colorado counties already allow for kei truck registration, especially in rural areas with fewer emissions restrictions. To confirm if your county is on board, contact your local DMV. If emissions testing is required, testing locations can be found here.

         Note: Kei trucks cannot be legally driven on roads with speed limits greater than 55  mph. Colorado’s laws restrict them to off-highway use.

Alternatives if Your County Says No

If your local DMV doesn’t allow local registration yet, you still have options. Sunshine Imports has partnered with LLCTLC, a service that helps register the vehicle in Montana. After registering with their LLCTLC, you will receive a clean Montana title and plates, allowing legal operation in Colorado.

How We Can Help  

Sunshine Imports specializes in JDM vehicles––including kei trucks, vans, and cars. Our dealership purchases vehicles directly from auctions and wholesale dealers in Japan. We keep an inventory of vehicles available on our lot. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we also provide sourcing for specific models. 

We then coordinate shipping, customs, inspection, and titling in the state of Texas. We provide clean vehicles and titles. But we also help our customers navigate registration, parts, maintenance, and aftermarket options. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.