Last updated: October 7, 2026. Shipping prices are published estimates, not quotes. Office details are from each county's website; call before you go. General information, not legal advice.
Our kei trucks are on our lot in Houston, about 165 miles from downtown Austin. We don't have an Austin location, so this page covers what it actually takes to get a kei truck to the Austin area and register it there: shipping costs and timing, the tax offices in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties, and where to get the VIN inspection.
Quick facts
- Distance: about 165 miles, on I-10 West and SH-71 through La Grange and Bastrop, or on US-290.
- Shipping: published 2026 open-carrier prices run from about $165 to $700; usually 1 to 2 days on the road.
- County office: your own county's tax office: Travis, Williamson or Hays (table below).
- VIN inspection: free from Austin police for Austin residents; $40 at the Williamson County task force.
- Tax and fees: about $607 to $609 for a $7,999.99 truck, depending on the county.
- Emissions test: none for a kei truck 25 years or older. Hays County isn't an emissions county at all.
Getting a kei truck from Houston to Austin
Option 1: have it shipped
We help arrange transport with independent carriers, and you pay the carrier directly. The carrier picks the truck up at our lot during business hours once the balance is paid. Most transport companies list the Austin run as 1 to 2 days on the road. How quickly a carrier can pick up varies, so plan on several days to a week from booking to delivery.
What it costs: published 2026 prices for Houston to Austin run from about $165 to $700 on an open carrier, with most of the companies below quoting $400 or more.
| Source (route) | Published price | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Auto Transport (Houston–Austin) | $164–$234 | About 1 day |
| Direct Connect Auto Transport (short Texas routes incl. Houston–Austin, May 2026) | $400–$700 | 1–3 days |
| AmeriFreight (Houston–Austin, 2026) | $500–$700 | 1–2 days |
Prices are for a running vehicle on an open carrier. As a rule of thumb, trips under 500 miles run about $1.55 to $2.50 a mile (Sherpa Auto Transport, 2026), which works out to about $255 to $415 for the 165 miles to Austin. Brokers don't list a separate price for kei trucks, so expect to be quoted at a car or pickup rate even though a kei truck is smaller. An enclosed trailer costs about 30% to 50% more (Homeland Auto Transport), and a vehicle that doesn't run costs more again, often $150 to $300 extra for winching (AmeriFreight). Prices change with season and fuel, so ask for a written quote.
Option 2: come to Houston and trailer it home
It's about 165 miles to Austin, roughly 3 hours with a trailer, on I-10 West and SH-71 through Columbus, La Grange and Bastrop, or on US-290. Kei trucks are no more than about 11 ft 2 in long and 4 ft 10 in wide (Japan's size limits for kei vehicles), so they fit on a typical car-hauler trailer. Check your trailer's weight rating and bring straps. Coming in person also lets you inspect and test drive the truck first; call or text (713) 385-9798 to set a time. Lot hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Can I just drive it home? Not legally until it's titled and registered. Texas law lets a miniature vehicle on public highways only after it “has been registered and titled” (Transportation Code §545.429). A 2016 TxDMV policy limited 30-day temporary permits to vehicles already titled or registered in Texas (TxDMV), so ask your county tax office whether a fresh import qualifies for any temporary permit before you count on one (TxDMV temporary permits). And even once it's registered, Texas allows interstate speed limits of 70 mph and higher (TxDOT), well above a comfortable cruising speed for a 660 cc kei truck, so the I-10 stretch isn't a good way to get one home either.
Which county office to use
You title and register the truck in the county where you live, within 30 days of the sale. The Austin area spans three counties, and each runs its own tax office.
| County | Main office | Phone | Hours and visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis | 2433 Ridgepoint Dr., Austin 78754 (plus branch offices) | 512-854-9473 | Vehicle services Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Walk-ins accepted; lines may close early when full (Travis County). |
| Williamson | 1848 Texas Trail, Georgetown 78626; branches in Cedar Park, Round Rock and Taylor | 512-943-1601 | Mon 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Tue–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Williamson County). |
| Hays | 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 1120, San Marcos 78666; substations in Kyle, Dripping Springs and Wimberley | 512-393-5545 | Titles Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Hays County). |
Outside these counties? Use your own county's office (TxDMV office finder). None of the three counties has its own page for imported vehicles; Williamson County points buyers to TxDMV's out-of-state and imported vehicle page (TxDMV), which asks for a certified English translation. Call ahead and ask what your office wants to see.
Tax and fees in your county
Example: a $7,999.99 kei truck bought from us and titled in your county. Title fees are $33 in all of these counties, and the state registration fee is $50.75 plus $1 for TexasSure. The processing fee ($4.75) and inspection program replacement fee ($7.50) are the same everywhere (TxDMV, DPS). Only the local fees change (TxDMV 2026 fee chart).
| County | Sales tax (6.25%) | Title | State registration | Local fees | Processing + inspection fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $608.50 |
| Williamson | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $608.50 |
| Hays | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $10.00 | $12.25 | $607.00 |
Travis and Williamson are emissions counties, but testing applies only to gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old (TCEQ), so a kei truck old enough to import isn't tested. Hays County isn't an emissions county. TxDMV also lists a $2.75 state emissions fee collected at registration in emissions counties (TxDMV); ask whether it applies to a truck that's exempt from testing. Plan for the VIN inspection fee below where it applies, and a translation or appraisal if your county asks for one (see the Texas guide).
Where to get the VTR-68-A VIN inspection in Austin
A truck imported from Japan needs Form VTR-68-A, a VIN inspection done by a law enforcement auto theft unit, before the county will title it (TxDMV). The truck has to be there, so this is another reason to bring it home on a trailer or carrier first.
| Agency | Who it serves | How to book | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Police Auto Theft | Residents with an Austin home address | Email ATIP@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-5265; inspections about twice a month, location given when confirmed (City of Austin) | No fee |
| Travis County Sheriff (East Command, 7811 Burleson Manor Rd., Manor) | Travis County residents outside Austin; no salvage-title vehicles | By appointment only, through the Travis County request form or Traviscounty68A@traviscountytx.gov; general line 512-854-9770 | Not posted; ask |
| Williamson County inspections, 1001 CR 137, Hutto (Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force) | Williamson County (Leander residents request online) | 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 9:00–10:00 a.m.; no appointment, be in line before the cutoff (Williamson County) | $40, cashier's check or money order, no cash (Heart of Texas task force) |
| Hays County Auto Theft Unit, Hays County Jail, 1303 Uhland Rd., San Marcos | Hays County residents | Tuesdays 8:00–11:00 a.m., by appointment; request online and they call you (Hays County) | Not posted; ask |
Bring your ID, proof of insurance, the bill of sale and all the import papers. Schedules change, so confirm when you book.
If the county office has questions
Kei titles are still new to many clerks. Our Texas title guide covers the common problems: non-17-digit chassis numbers, outdated inspection checklists, translations, and the “off-highway use only” remark. If you're still stuck, the TxDMV regional service center for your county can help with title problems. Travis, Williamson and Hays counties are served by the Austin Regional Service Center (1001 E. Parmer Ln., Suite A, Austin; 512-719-6900).
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a kei truck from Houston to Austin?
Published 2026 prices for an open carrier run from about $165 to $700, and most companies quote $400 or more. Get a written quote; we can help you arrange one.
How long does shipping from Houston to Austin take?
Usually 1 to 2 days on the road once the carrier picks it up. Allow several days to a week from booking.
Where do I get a VTR-68-A inspection in Austin?
If you have an Austin address, Austin police do them for free (email ATIP@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-5265). Elsewhere in Travis County, book with the Travis County Sheriff through the county's online form. Williamson County residents go to the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force in Hutto ($40).
Do kei trucks need an emissions test in Travis County?
No, not if the truck is 25 years or older. Texas emissions testing covers gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old.
Can I see the truck before it's shipped?
Yes. It's on our Houston lot, and you're welcome to inspect and test drive it, or send someone to do it for you. Call or text (713) 385-9798.
Shop kei trucks
Browse trucks in stock in Houston, or reserve one that is arriving soon from Japan with a $1,000 deposit that counts toward the price. New to kei trucks? Start with our kei truck buyer's guide and the Texas title and registration guide. Questions? Call or text (713) 385-9798.
Other Texas cities: Houston (our lot) · Dallas–Fort Worth · San Antonio
Sources
- TxDMV registration fee chart, 2026
- Travis County Tax Office: visit us
- Williamson County Tax Office: titles
- Hays County Tax Office
- City of Austin: 68-A inspections
- Travis County: 68-A inspection request form
- Williamson County: 68-A vehicle inspections
- Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force
- Hays County: 68-A vehicle inspections
- TCEQ: vehicle emissions inspections
- TxDMV: temporary permits (30-day permit limits)
- SB 1816 (Transportation Code §545.429)
All vehicles are sold by Wideway Motors LLC as is, with no warranty. We help arrange shipping through independent carriers; you pay the carrier directly, and we are not the carrier. Seller makes no representation that any vehicle can be titled, registered or driven on public roads, and being unable to do so is not grounds to cancel a purchase. See our Terms of Sale and Shipping & Pickup Policy.