Are Kei Vehicles Street Legal 
by derekheidenreichApril 27, 2026
Registering Kei Vehicles In Wisconsin For Road Use
by derekheidenreichApril 27, 2026Registering Kei Vehicles For Road Use In Wisconsin
Let's explore sudden changes in Wisconsin and how to drive Kei trucks, vans, or cars on Wisconsin roads as a Wisconsin resident.
IS Wisconsin Banning Kei Vehicles?
Wisconsin DMVs are refusing to register Kei vehicles for road use, even though Wisconsin Kei vehicle laws allow them to be registered for road use. Act 103/Senate Bill 110, or ss. 341.05 (27) / 346.94 (19) have not been overturned or repealed, which allows the registration for road use.
How Can Wisconsin Residents Drive Kei vehicles On WI Roads?
Alternatively, you can use Dirt Legal's services to obtain registration and Montana plates for road-legal use on Wisconsin roads at 55 mph or under.
Some have successfully registered their Kei vehicles in Wisconsin by selecting the box for non-US Standard and non-op on WI roads, then submitting the collector plate application after receiving the title, resulting in plates being issued.
Why are WI DMVs Starting To Refuse In-State Road Registration?
The reason is that they are using statute 341.10(6), passed in 2013, even though Wisconsin DMVs have been registering Kei vehicles since late 2025. 341.10(6) states that the department shall refuse to register the following: 49 CFR 567, or a Kei class vehicle. This subsection does not apply to vehicles as defined in s. 341.269 (1) (a), for registration under s. 341.269, or special interest vehicles, as defined in s. 341.266 (1) (c), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s. 341.266.
Is Wisconsin Making A Mistake?
It seems that Wisconsin is confusing Kei trucks, vans, or cars with Mini trucks. The difference between the two is that Mini trucks are designed for off-road use, and Kei vehicles are designed for road use at speeds typically up to 50mph on diveder highways, with a very few highways in Japan allowing these vehicles a max of 63 mph, including safety features like airbags and regulations from the Japanese government, a country that knows automobiles.