The state of Colorado in the US has enacted a law that will make children's toys from trains to real trains happy! These laws, called HB25–1281, will allow Japanese KE cars to run on the streets of Colorado from July 1, 2027. Governor Jred Police signed it on 9 May 2025. Now you must be thinking, are these cai cars? These are small trains of Japan-low expenses, low petrol, and agile in narrow streets. Colorado now joined 30 states where these vehicles will be able to run legally.
Kei cars, or as in Japan say "Kei-Jidosha", are small but work vehicles. Their length is less than 140 inches, width less than 67 inches, and the engine is up to 660 cc. These vehicles are absolutely suitable for the tight roads, fields, or small businesses of the city. But in America, they have to be 25 years old, so that they can avoid strict security rules. It was a headache to register these vehicles earlier in Colorado. The motor vehicle department (DMV) there was binching them secretly. Now the new law will solve this mystery.
It is clearly written in this law that KE cars will fall under the category of motor vehicle. To register these, just a fee of $ 15 and a special tax of $ 3 will have to be paid. A license plate will also be available. But there are some restrictions, brother! These vehicles will not be able to run on 55 mph roads or large highways, such as I-25 or I-70. And yes, they have to pass insurance and easy emission tests (2-speed Idol test). This test is not a big deal for old trains.
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This law is a chance to celebrate for those fans of Colorado who are fond of Kai cars. In the last few years, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators tried to ban these vehicles, saying that it is not safe. In 2024, Colorado DMV also made a ban plan, but the enthusiasts created so much uproar that they retreated. Now HB25–1281 ended that "banning ban". Now everything is written clearly, black and white.
Fans of Kei cars say that these vehicles are cheap and good for the environment. In the villages of Colorado, where farming work is done, KE trucks are very useful. Small, cheap, and petrols of petrol! Governor police also said that this law would give "Kei truck freedom". But the auto dealers and state petrol people had opposed it earlier, as these vehicles do not fit in the new security rules. Still, the public won.
Talking about money, Colorado will benefit little from this law. DMV will have to spend $ 1 lakh to update the system and give Vin number, but in two years the registration fee will return $ 93,000. Later it can be a profitable deal. And yes, this law of Colorado can become an example for other states. States like Texas, Michigan have already cleared KE cars, but Colorado enacted the cleanest law after 2019.
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But some people are still not happy. The law will be applicable from 2027, that is, waiting for two years! And the ban of 55 miles per hour also knocks, especially where strong roads are more. Nevertheless, this is the news of relief for those who had to chew the gram for registration earlier. In some counties, where the emission test is not necessary, KE cars were already running. Now there will be a similar rule in the entire state.
So overall, this new law of Colorado is a great success for the fans of KE cars. It will give cheap and fun transport, and will show that if the public is united, the rules can change. Yes, the speed limit and the wait are a bit, but by 2027, these small vehicles will be seen running on the streets of Colorado.