I really want a mini truck, but I have a bunch of questions that I need definitive answers to before I can buy one. Please help if you can. First, I looked into the laws about Kei trucks in Ohio. IANAL, so I might be misunderstanding it, but if not, it's all pretty disappointing. In Ohio Revised Code, Section 4501.01(BBB), Ohio defines mini trucks as LSVs (low speed vehicles). In Section 4511.214(2)(a), LSVs are only allowed on roads with a max speed limit of 35 mph. And in Section 4511.215, they're only allowed to be driven on public roads in jurisdictions where the municipal authorities have explicitly given them permission to do so. I have heard from a few people on FB that say these laws only apply to trucks that were imported before they were 25 years old. I want to believe that, but the laws seem pretty clear to me and they don't say anything about that that I could find. If you're familiar with all of this and can help me understand what the real deal is, I would really appreciate it.
So I live in circleville Ohio and I have two sambars one I use for the farm were I use a orange triangle without a license plate and I drove in town all the time getting straw and whatever never had any issues. The other one I went to the DMV and registered it like a normal vehicle. Got a license plate and I got insurance and I drive it to and from work. I must have put 10,000 mi on in the last 3 years again. Don't have any issues. I drive it 70 mph on the highway got pulled over once for not wearing my seatbelt got a ticket and on I went nothing was ever said
Iive in Elyria Ohio and I bought my 93 Suzuki Carry from a farm in Leipsic, OH. I took the title to the Lorain County title bureau and they gave me a fiftle with all the import paperwork. I then went to the DMV and they gave me normal plates. I checked with my local sherrif and State Troopers and they say i can drive it anywhere I want, as long as I have DOT approved tires on it. I drive it all over, back and forth to our rental in Cleveland, my office in Strongsville, and general putting around. I have passed by dozens of cops and they o ly smale and wave and keep going. I have had my truck since early October 2024. The way it was explained to me by the Sherriff's office 'ORC defines a mini-truck as a golf carf type vehichle/cushman cart etc.' but kei trucks are actual passenger vehichles. It may get registered as an Underspeed Vehichle, but as long as you can do the minimum on a road (45 on i90 or 71,77, 480 etc) you should be good!
Thanks, Dan and Jeff, for putting my mind at ease about legality. Now to figure out exactly what kind I want!
