For American kei car owners, the last few years have been tough. Many have been hit with surprise registration bans, and faced all kinds of struggles in dealing with hostile bureaucracies intent on demonizing their legally imported vehicles. For those in the state of Colorado, though, salvation is in sight, with a new law giving kei cars the legal status they deserve.
As reported by Car & Driver, Colorado governor Jared Polis signed a new bill, HB25-1281, into law on Friday. The new legislation officially recognizes the status of kei vehicles, defining them as motor vehicles under the Uniform Motor Vehicle Law and the Certificate of Title Act. Long story short, it says kei cars are cars and that they can be registered for use on the roads of Colorado.
It’s not an instant win—the bill will not go into effect until July 1, 2027. Regardless, it’s a positive result for kei owners, who now have a perfectly legal route to register and operate their vehicles on the roads of Colorado.
For kei enthusiasts in Colorado, it’s been a long road to acceptance. As we’ve reported previously, in 2024, kei owners had reported Colorado state DMV offices quietly denying emissions testing and refusing to register their vehicles without explanation, despite the lack of any official policy against kei vehicles. The state then attempted to firmly enforce this policy in the open, only to back down amidst heavy opposition from enthusiasts. Then the state continued its ban, but quietly.
Now, a resolution to this quagmire is finally on the horizon, with the status of kei cars properly enshrined in the law. The bill defines kei cars very specifically. To classify as a “kei vehicle,” it must have an internal combustion engine under 1.0-liter in displacement, or an electrical motor of 56 kW (75 hp) or less. It can also measure no longer than 140 inches, and no wider than 67 inches, with a minimum top speed requirement of 50 miles per hour. The legislation also mandates vehicles have enclosed passenger cabins and four or more tires in contact with the ground.
Under the bill, kei vehicles won’t have exactly the same status as regular USDM vehicles. Driving kei cars on limited-access highways or roads with limits posted higher than 55 miles per hour will be prohibited. Violating this will be a Class B traffic infraction in Colorado. These are considered minor infractions without jail time; typical penalties include fines from $15 to $100 plus surcharges, and no license points.
As for emissions testing, keis will be treated as a special case. Instead of the standard dynamometer emissions test, kei vehicles will be subject to a two-speed idle test, as the Colorado DMV typically requires for pre-1981 vehicles. The vehicle will still need to pass emissions requirements for the year of its manufacture. Denial of emissions testing was a hurdle that was keeping many kei cars off the roads. Now that proper procedure has been ratified, that won’t be a problem going forward.
There are also protections to stop prejudiced officials from causing issues for kei cars when it comes to inspections. Basically, the state isn’t allowed to deem your kei unroadworthy because of how it was built. As per the Colorado legislature:
The department of revenue, the Colorado state patrol, and the agents or contractors of these agencies may not require a vehicle to have an inspection because it is a kei vehicle or has the design or manufacturing parameters of a kei vehicle. And a kei vehicle may not be declared not roadworthy because of its design or manufacturing parameters.
There is also one further hurdle to clear, as noted in reporting by TFLCar. The act will take effect on July 1, 2027, except if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to the state constitution within 90 days of the final adjournment of the general assembly (which is slated for some time in May 2026). In that case, the act won’t take effect unless approved at the November 2026 midterm election. It seems unlikely to happen, but it’s never wise to count your kei cars before they’ve hatched, so the saying goes.
State of Play
In welcoming the kei car, Colorado follows the fine example of states like North Carolina, Texas, Massachusetts, and Michigan. In virtually all cases, the hard work of enthusiasts has been key in getting these vehicles officially accepted by state officials. As our own Mercedes Streeter has explored previously, these cases have been fought against lobbyists like the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), which has long tried and succeeded in getting the imported vehicles classified as “off-road vehicles” to keep them off the streets.
Unfortunately, in many states, lobbying from the AAMVA has been remarkably effective at demonizing the kei car. A long list of states has responded by banning or restricting the use of these vehicles on public roads. Rhode Island, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Illinois are all states that have come down hard against kei cars, but the fight is ongoing. Pro-kei enthusiasts already have a bill in play in Georgia, albeit with heavy restrictions, while enthusiasts in other states are continuing to organize to effect change.
The simple fact is that kei vehicles aren’t deserving of the hate they’ve received. They’re small and low-powered, but that has never been a valid reason to outright ban a vehicle from the roadways. Indeed, in virtually all cases, these vehicles were maligned for no good reason, as we’ve reported previously.
Wherever you live, it’s worth noting that laws regarding these vehicles remain patchy and varied across the United States. Just because the 25-year rule might get your old kei car in the country, it doesn’t mean that your home state will necessarily let you register it for the road. It’s worth looking into the current state of play before you set your heart (and bank account) on acquiring some diminutive Japanese metal. If you believe in the value of these beautiful little vehicles, though, you might consider putting your strength towards the efforts for kei liberty across the land.
Image credits: Daihatsu, Subaru, Mitsubishi, State of Colorado
Top graphic images: Daihatsu, depositphotos.com
The comments I was reading on a youtube video were all demanding they codify ex-military vehicles next.
Sort of a somewhat win. The size restrictions are crazy… if I was to buy a used Geo Metro in Canada, it would become a kei car. Most kei cars are 1395mm wide, 1475mm since October 1998 (55, 58 inches). The engines are no bigger than 660cc, why one litre?
Can’t wait to see what classic Mini owners make of this, as many of their cars should no longer be allowed on highways.
I would assume that if said classic Mini was sold in the US, it would be covered by the existing regulations. But uhhhh that’s based on zero research.
Minis were not sold in the US for many decades – I actually know several people who own imported classic Minis in Colorado, one or two of them with the 998cc engine.
There is plenty of above kei car but kei like w a 1l engine in japan. Expecting a bottom.feeder to have 1.6l or more like what was shipped to America is futile.
But if it is above 660cc, it is not a kei car. There is actually very few one-litre cars in Japan, because kei cars have so many tax advantages that the next viable segment is 1.3-liter cars.
My point is that the random dimensions they laid down would make a Geo Metro a kei car. And Citroën 2CVs, and a Fiat 127, and an Abarth 850TC, and any number of other things.
1 July 2027? That’s pretty long time…
Great to see progress being made on this somewhere. Hopefully other states continue to follow suit.
they will be banned again once a few teenagers buy them and die
I don’t consider this a win. If the Kei car can do the speed limit on a road it should be allowed on said road.
nvm
A great many native American market vehicles from the late ’70s and into the ’80s would have similar “lack of acceleration” issue.
Quite true. The storied slant6 was designed in a time when cruising speeds were more often 45ish. Not saying the early Darts & Valiants can’t do 70–but I’ve been in a couple that were more comfortable at 50-55 when going distances
My Honda Beat is faster to 60 mph (12 seconds) than my Smart 450 gasser (16 seconds), my Smart 450 diesel (20 seconds), and my former Mercedes-Benz 240D (23 seconds), all of which are legal to use any highway in America. The Beat also has the same electronically limited top speed as those two Smarts. I’m also pretty sure my Honda Beat would outrun Jason’s Beetle any day of the week.
The problem, I think, is that American lawmakers still don’t understand Keis. Yes, the really old ones aren’t fast and have pitiful top speeds. But the more modern ones, which can be imported right now, aren’t any slower than many vintage American market vehicles. But maybe it’s easier to just write a blanket law rather than trying to parse out which vehicles can do what.
The longer I’m thinking about this, the more I’m thinking the speed component isn’t even that necessary. Most of the highways I’ve been on have minimum speeds, anyway. So a Kei that can’t go faster than 55 would be illegal, just like a Ford Model T would be.
I still find it funny in the worst way that Georgia has cities/towns built around the use of golf carts yet they won’t allow Kei’s to be registered (yet).
You’ve got to convince the retirees that are using the golf carts that life would be better with a kei car! I’m not sure what the winning argument is there, though.
It’s Georgia: entice them with AC?
Or, am I ignorant of current carts with all the amenities?
-my area doesn’t have golf carts on the road (though you see some SxS here & there in more rural areas—just not legally afaik)
because they know their Polaris UTV is only allowed on roads up to 35 mph
That’s a crippling loss. Who wants to own a vehicle that can’t get from town to town without risking a ticket?
Who wants to get from town to town in one piece? I would feel very uncomfortable on a 75PMH highway in a kei car that can’t keep up with traffic that is doing anywhere from 75 to 95.
My 2CV was fine in 80-90mph traffic, despite its top speed of 70ish depending on wid direction and gradient.
Kei cars have way more power than a 2CV and I suspect less drag too. If my high-school girlfriend was ok driving on motorways in her Fiat 126 then Kei cars will be fine.
Fun fact: in the UK we hold bicycle time trials on 70mph public roads, which means having to change lanes to avoid bikes at a closing speed of 50mph. Surprisingly few deaths.
My Honda Beat will cruise at an electronically limited 83 mph all day, the same top speed as my two first gen Smarts that are allowed on all types of roads no matter the posted speed limit.
It’s really only the older Keis that can’t keep up with traffic. For example, my older Suzuki Every van has a top speed of around 73 mph due to its crazy short gearing. The engine has more in it, but the gearing has it banging off the rev limiter. So cruising speed is more like 60 mph.
I would guess the restriction has a direct link back to lawmakers not understanding that there are other vehicles besides kei trucks. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but I’ve read numerous places that a lot of 25 year legal kei trucks aren’t too happy going above 50-55 even if they are technically capable of it.
A really dumb restriction.
There are sports car kei cars that can keep up with traffic. The Autozam AZ-1 can do 99 mph (to 110mph depending on source) with the 88mph governor disabled. If a car can do the speed limit, why limit where it can drive? If a kei car is disrupting traffic more than the semis going up steep grades, it can probably get a ticket under existing laws already.
do you feel better knowing that many don’t have air bags or crumple zones that you get in a normal car built in the last 30 years?
My MGB has 62 HP and will keep up with highway traffic just fine, when it’s running.
Safety arguments? Well, we allow motorcycles on the highways, and many states don’t even require helmets.
I’d be fine with it. Sure it would be nice to be unlimited, but these cars aren’t great at doing speeds higher than that. Yes most can do 70, but my van can do 110, doesn’t mean it likes it or that it’s something I should do for long distance. And most interstates also have a lower speed side road traveling the same way, so I don’t think you’ll be trapped with this. For instance, Denver to CO Springs has at least 2 highways that look to be 55mph that connect them without going on I-25
In my county at least, with Colorado’s screwed up tax legislation, the cops can’t afford to enforce it.
We have the same restriction in NC. I have never seen it enforced and kei vehicles are becoming very popular around here. Many kei owners I know do prefer to avoid the Interstates. Then again many motorcyclists do too.
And it is silly since most interstate highways are posted with a minimum speed of 40. So I could legally drive anything at a lower speed than one might typically drive a Kei vehicle.
Are Colorado’s state highways posted with 60 or 65 limits? If not, that might at least make things tolerable.