Massachusetts Reconsiders Ban on Kei Cars and Trucks
- Massachusetts has denied registrations for Kei cars and trucks on its roads.
- The state is now reviewing its policy after facing pressure.
Kei cars and trucks are known for their charm, efficiency, and practicality. According to the US government, if these vehicles are 25 years old, they are legally eligible for registration and can be driven on public roads. However, Massachusetts, along with a few other states, has disagreed with this stance. Fortunately, it seems that Massachusetts might be changing its position.
Massachusetts initially implemented a policy in June that made it nearly impossible to register a Kei vehicle. The state claimed that the VIN was too short for registration. However, it also specifically targeted Kei vehicles and even mistakenly included Japanese cars that are not Kei vehicles. This inconsistency raises questions about the state’s understanding of its own policy. Nevertheless, Massachusetts has now acknowledged that it is reviewing the policy.
“The RMV is currently reviewing its policies for registration of Kei trucks. All existing unexpired registrations for Kei trucks and vans will remain active as the RMV works to review and assess industry standards related to Kei mini trucks and develop an updated policy addressing the registration of these vehicles,” states the Massachusetts RMV website.
The Massachusetts JDM Imports Advocates, a small group advocating against the ban, argues that the state’s reasoning for denying Kei registrations based on safety is flawed. They question why domestic vehicles older than 25 years with fewer than 17 characters in the VIN are still allowed. Additionally, they wonder if the state is also fighting against the show and display loophole for supercars.
