- Texas Senate Bill 1816 could legalize the import and registration of Japanese Kei cars.
- SEMA supports the bill introduced by State Senator Kelly Hancock for Kei car legalization.
- Cars must comply with safety standards, including headlights, taillights, and other essentials.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association, or SEMA if you’re not into long acronyms, has thrown its weight behind a bill in Texas that aims to protect the importation and registration of Japanese Kei cars in the state. In short, these pint-sized vehicles might soon be getting a free pass to cruise under the protection of Texas laws.
The bill in question, SB 1816, was recently introduced by State Senator Kelly Hancock, and follows on the heels of an earlier push that led the Texas DMV to reverse its ban on titling Kei cars. . For those not in the know, any car not originally sold in the U.S. has to be at least 25 years old to be imported. Additionally, Kei cars must have an engine smaller than 1.2-liters.
Read: Massachusetts Pressured To Review Kei Car Ban But Don’t Get Excited Just Yet
There are also size restrictions. To qualify as a Kei car, it must be no longer than 140 inches, no wider than 60 inches, and no taller than 80 inches. They must also reach a top speed of at least 50 mph and come equipped with a basic set of safety features: speedometer, headlights, taillights, turn signals, a parking brake, rearview mirror, and windshield wipers. It’s almost like they’re real cars, just… smaller.
Lone Star Kei, a local advocacy group championing the cause, has been instrumental in pushing for legislation that protects Kei cars. The group sees the bill as a critical step toward ensuring that these quirky vehicles can be legally titled and registered in Texas without a hitch.
The senior manager of State Government Affairs at SEMA, Victor Munoz, through the association’s support behind the efforts in a letter addressed to Will Metcalf in the Texas House of Representatives.
In the letter, Munoz said “This legislation is a thoughtful approach to recognizing the growing interest in classic and niche vehicles,” adding that it will provide “a clear and consistent process for titling and registration. The association added the bill ensures these Kei cars meet local safety standards and believes the bill “will promote economic growth and consumer choice while maintaining safety and regulatory standards.”
“These vehicles, often referred to as ‘kei cars,’ are highly valued for their compact size, efficient design, and unique cultural appeal,” the letter adds.
