Road legal in what states?

A plate means nothing

 

but the age of your mini truck does.

 

The problem is that many states wrote Laws explicitly banning the LHD, off highway, Utility Vehicles, imported during the late eighties, and early nineties which were imported as low speed, off highway vehicles to avoid emission and safety certification. Those vehicles really were redesigned as low speed vehicles in that: The power trains had been modified. For example: Daihatsu, machined a groove in the shift rod of the transfer case, and installed an E-ring so you could only select neutral and low range; and, they installed a governor on them which would restrict fuel flow if you hit 25-mph.

If you read most of the statutes, they ban Japanese minitrucks designed and manufactured as low speed off highway vehicles.

If you wanted to spend the money, you could probably beat them in court, because the ones which have been imported after the 25-year safety equipment limit, imposed by the Federal Highways, and the twenty year emissions exclusion from the EPA, were in fact on highway vehicles designed and manufactured for on highway use.

 

you are probably wright. All I know is once I had that stamp on my ENTRY SUMMARY. it now is my title & registration I can take to DMV. 21 years and older . So what if I can't ride the highway ..,..... yet. but that will change.

 

that's in Oregon.

 

I Googled Mini Truck laws in NC and it clearly (easy to read) states HB179 makes Mini Trucks legal on roads with 55mph limit and lower. Maybe each state can be Googled like that?

 

Most States have their statutes and codes online, and they are typically searchable.

 

Statutes & codes are not laws

 

In what state are they not? Every State I’ve lived in the Statutes or Codes were the”Blue” Law.

If you get a traffic ticket, it reference either the Statute or the Code. In Nevada it will be NRS (abbreviation for Nevada Revised Statutes), followed by the actual number of the code you violated. Same with Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and California. Just Depends on what state your in, what they call them.

The Feds have Laws as passed by Congress, and then the Department the law states is responsible for it’s enforcement Establishes Regulations, and publishes then in the Code of Federal Regulations, known as the CFR. And, if a federal LEO cites you they write them out as CFR, followed by the number, section and article you violated. The FEDs are the only entity I know of where there is a difference between the “Code” and the actual law.

 

I don't know where you're bought your mini trucks ,but I bought mine from japan. Went through all the processes, paid alot of money to findly get it home. The broker I used did all the filing of documents, paying all the fees, duties , and lined everything up. She also sent me a documents called, I an Entry Summary that Customs stamped and that was my title, & Registration, As she put it my Golden Ticket. with that I could take it to dmv and get it road legal. EPA has a 21 year or older requirement that doesn't put the vehicle in the same standard as new ones.

 

@mrxsht, were you able to get Oregon title and registration?

 

things are so slow when it comes to DMV that as it is . You have a waiting period of 17-20 weeks for your title and Registration.
When I was importing my hijet from Japan. I was worried I wouldn't be able to get to use it for what I wanted it for ,and that was to drive. I asked my broker about it and they said with my Department of Homeland Security.U.S. Customs&Border protection Entry Summary document stamped is my golden ticket as they said to get it titled and registered. I also have the export certificate for the vehicle that makesme an importer. I'll keep you posted on what transpires .

 

Just got my 92 Sambar titles and tagged in Ga. bought in NC. No issues.

 

if you don't mind me asking? what was the amount you had to pay in the end ? title registration , DEQ, plates, tags, vin inspection..,..,..... everything DMV could possibly find to charge you to get legal? I only ask because I'm right behind you. it would kinda be nice what I have to deal with.

 

I only paid 6.5% tax on the assessed value (100.00) 18.00 title fee and 20.00 tag fee. But mine is a 92. She said there was no problem and even asked if it was a mini truck. I bought mine from Mayberry Minis in NC and they acquired the original title for me. They are responsible for getting them street legal in NC.

 

that's nice. it was rather painless for you.
I have a 92 as well, but I did it all the hard way and imported mine myself.
I hope mine won't be too painful. Enjoy your new ride my friend.

 

well today I got my plates,tags, and registration on my hijet. I'm so glad it's over. and I'm street legal.

 

You're in Oregon right? Any hassles with getting plates, or was it pretty straight forward. Most things online indicate that the trucks here can't get plates, but it's no problem for kei vans.

 

it was pretty straight forward. went to DEQ, passed. then to DMV with all my importing documents, EPA report, ect.. and $411.50 later I walked out with my plates, tags, and registration.

 

do you have a kei van,and if so .What's the size of engine do you have? Bigger than a 660?

 

No, mine is a 660cc Mitsubishi truck arriving shortly. I've heard the vans are no big deal here, but the trucks seem to be 50/50 on whether or not they can get plated in Oregon.

 

I wouldn't worry . it won't be a problem to make it legal. it just takes a little money, and you will be ok.

 

I am in Rhode Island and have a 92 Suzuki Carry that I imported last year. A few months back I heard rumors that the DMV was not allowing people to register mini trucks/vans. I just wired money to my contact in Japan to bring in another vehicle, so I emailed the DMV enforcement division (just like I did last year prior to importing the vehicle) to confirm the registration process. Last year I got the world's most friendly and helpful DMV employee who reviewed my documents and said "looks like you did your homework!" I went to the DMV, got the import docs cleared through the Enforcement division then went upstairs and got my registration and fancy new tags. No issues at all. This time around, however, I received no reply to my email. Instead, I received a letter in the mail stating that my registration had been suspended indefinitely. Reason stated: "unfit motor vehicle." That's it.

I've obtained a copy of another DMV hearing decision and it appears that their position is that these vehicles just "aren't safe." They are relying on the American Association of Motor Vehicles best practice guidance with regard to Kei Trucks. Apparently the safety and inspection folks at the DMV declared it unsafe: "given the vehicle's smaller design and engine, it may be hazardous to be operated on some RI roadways." They go on to say that the vehicle's "questionable stability and crash protection pose a known increased crash risk and potential hazard." How does this compare to a smart car, or a motorcycle (in a state with no helmet laws)?

I am going to take this all the way to the RI Supreme Court so if anyone can serve as a vehicle safety expert for me, I would be most appreciative! GOOD LUCK to you all!

 

States don't usually decide to change positions on things unless there is some sort of political motivation behind it. Most likely the sxs industry sees mini trucks as a threat since they are less expensive and can be registered for road use. I'd bet they lobbied for that to happen so they can improve their sales.

 

Agreed. Whether it's the sxs folks or someone else, it definitely seems like lobbyists are behind this. The absurdity of a no helmet state claiming a mini truck is too dangerous for the roads is laughable. Hopefully our judges here will see this for what it is...

 

Ask them if they plan to retract all the registrations of vehicles that are older than all these "safety" rules. Sounds very much a political power thing to me. Got to stand up for what is right.

Fred

 

yeah . Now who and what is the DMV Enforcement Division? Are you kidding me?!
when you import a vehicle. you are allowed to use it on any surface you wish. US Customs stamps that document that gives you the right to register, and title your mini truck. I'm not a expert , but you shouldn't have to be put through this , . We are the people in charge. "We The People"
not them.

 

Ga just revoked my registration and tag. Won’t give me a section of law or any legal clause that shows the vehicle is not street legal. This came from the local Tax Commissioner who saw the truck and called me stating it should have never been tagged. I asked her why and she said it was off road only. I asked her how that was defined and she couldn’t tell me. She then called the Ga DMV and had the tagged suspended and registration revoked. I have made contact with a state representative and will be following up with a state senator. This is crazy! The city actually has one of these they use on the streets!!!!

 

wow! That's &$#@ed up!
they made it out like your a convicted felon,or something.
did you import the vehicle or buy it from a third party? so why do they let motorcycles and smart cars operate on thE "PUBLIC ROAD WAYS?" I feel your plight and keep fighting . this nation forgets that we are the ones who make the rules. keep us posted on your progress

 

In a surprising twist, Texas didn’t clamp down on Kei trucks. Instead, its DMV decided to completely reverse its ban on Kei trucks https://www.theautopian.com/heres-t...rprising twist, Texas,Texas as a Smart Fortwo.