A bipartisan bill introduced in Oregon this week would legalize the registering of imported Kei trucks. If passed, the state would become the latest to take direct action to protect these vehicles when they comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Senate Bill 1213 adds a new section to the state's vehicle code that explicitly defines what Oregon will recognize as a "Kei truck." It must be a vehicle manufactured in Japan or South Korea with an engine displacement of 660 cubic centimeters. It can't be more than 11 feet long, 4.9 feet wide, or 6.6 feet tall, and it must be 25 years old or older.
It'll cost $63 to register a Kei truck in Oregon, which is the same fee levied on other low-speed vehicles, medium-speed EVs, and utility trailers. The bill, if it passes, will also make it a Class B violation to drive Kei trucks on the highway, punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000.
"Small businesses, farmers, and Oregonians across our state are asking for practical, cost-effective transportation options," said Oregon Sen. Anthony Broadman, who introduced the bill to the state's Senate. "This legislation simply makes it legal to use a tool that's already proving useful across the Pacific Northwest."
You can track the bill's progress through the Oregon legislature. The bill has been referred to the state's Committee on Transportation, which will review the bill and hold public hearings before it can return to the legislature for possible passage.
Source: Oregon Sen. Anthony Broadman
