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 240 miles from downtown Dallas and 265 miles from Fort Worth. We don't have a DFW location, so this page covers what it actually takes to get a kei truck to Dallas–Fort Worth and register it there: shipping costs and timing, the county tax offices in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties, and where to get the VIN inspection.
Quick facts
- Distance: about 240 miles to Dallas and 265 miles to Fort Worth, mostly on I-45 North.
- Shipping: published 2026 open-carrier prices run from about $195 to $750, most between $300 and $650; usually 1 to 2 days on the road.
- County office: your own county's tax office: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin or Denton (table below).
- VIN inspection: $40 at the North Texas or Tarrant auto theft task forces (Dallas police list the inspections by appointment; fee not posted).
- 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, even though these are emissions counties.
Getting a kei truck from Houston to Dallas–Fort Worth
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 Dallas–Fort Worth 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 Dallas run from about $195 to $750 on an open carrier, and most fall between $300 and $650. Fort Worth is about 25 miles farther, so expect a little more.
| Source (route) | Published price | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Auto Transport (Houston–Dallas, October 2026) | $195–$235 sedan; $225–$265 SUV or pickup | Typically 1 day |
| Freedom Auto Transport (Houston–Fort Worth, October 2026) | $254–$363 | About 1 day |
| High End Transport (Houston–Dallas, August 2026) | $300–$600 | 1–2 business days after pickup |
| Homeland Auto Transport (Houston–Dallas, 2026) | $350–$500 | About 1 day |
| AmeriFreight (Houston–Dallas, 2026) | $500–$750 | 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 $375 to $600 to Dallas and $410 to $660 to Fort Worth. 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 240 miles to Dallas on I-45 North, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours with a trailer, and about 265 miles to Fort Worth. 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 I-45 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. Each DFW county runs its own tax office. Dallas County has a page just for imported vehicles, so read it before you go.
| County | Main office | Phone | Hours and visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Records Building, 500 Elm St., Suite 1200, Dallas 75202 (7 locations) | 214-653-7811 | Downtown office Mon–Fri 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. See its page on titling an imported vehicle. |
| Tarrant | 100 E. Weatherford St., Fort Worth 76196 (7 subcourthouses) | 817-884-1100 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. You can reserve a place in line online. |
| Collin | Offices in Frisco (6101 Frisco Square Blvd.), McKinney (2300 Bloomdale Rd.) and Plano (900 E. Park Blvd.) | 972-547-5014 (McKinney) | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Appointments optional; walk-ins accepted when no appointments are available (Collin County). |
| Denton | 1505 E. McKinney St., Denton 76209 (6 offices) | 940-349-3500 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Wed 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Title transfers close at 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins and appointments (Denton County). |
Outside these counties? Use your own county's office (TxDMV office finder). Dallas County's imported-vehicle page asks for U.S. Customs Form 7501 or DOT Form HS-7, and a translation of the export certificate that has a notarized or acknowledged affidavit from the translator. It also still lists a state inspection report; non-commercial vehicles haven't needed a safety inspection since January 1, 2025 (DPS), so ask about it when you call.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $608.50 |
| Collin | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $608.50 |
| Denton | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $608.50 |
| Tarrant | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $10.00 | $12.25 | $607.00 |
Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton 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. 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 Dallas–Fort Worth
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Texas Auto Theft Task Force (Dallas County Sheriff), 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas | Covers Dallas, Denton, Collin, Rockwall and Kaufman counties; inspections are done regardless of residency | By appointment only: 214-653-3430 | $40 (the task force's pages differ on payment: one says cash only, its flyer also allows a money order or cashier's check) |
| Dallas Police Auto Theft, Salvage Squad, 1955 Vilbig Rd., Dallas | Lists VTR-68-A inspections | By appointment only: 214-670-5900 | Not posted; ask |
| Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force | Residents and business owners of Tarrant, Parker, Hood, Somervell, Palo Pinto, Jack and Wise counties | Online request on the Tarrant County Sheriff's page; confirmation by email within 5 business days (sent Tuesday to Friday). Task force phone 817-560-6560 (Auto Crimes Task Force) | $40, check or money order payable to TRACTF (no cash or cards) |
| Northern Collin/Denton County Auto Theft Task Force (Prosper) | Collin and Denton County residents | Appointments required; inspections about twice a month (Town of Prosper) | $40 (may be waived in some cases) |
| Plano Police | Plano residents only (proof of residency) | 972-941-2445 | Ask |
Sources: Dallas County Sheriff 68-A flyer, Dallas Police Auto Theft, Collin County inspection list. Bring your ID, proof of insurance, the bill of sale and all the import papers.
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. Dallas and Collin counties are served by the Dallas South Regional Service Center (562 E. Wheatland Rd., Duncanville; 469-547-8502). Tarrant and Denton counties are served by the Fort Worth Regional Service Center (2425 Gravel Dr., Fort Worth; 817-285-1500). TxDMV lists its Dallas North (Carrollton) center as temporarily closed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a kei truck from Houston to Dallas?
Published 2026 prices for an open carrier run from about $195 to $750, and most fall between $300 and $650 for Houston to Dallas, a bit more for Fort Worth. Get a written quote; we can help you arrange one.
How long does shipping from Houston to Dallas–Fort Worth 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 Dallas or Fort Worth?
In Dallas, Collin and Denton counties, the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force does them by appointment for $40 (214-653-3430). In Tarrant County, request one online from the Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force ($40, check or money order).
Do kei trucks need an emissions test in Dallas or Tarrant 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) · Austin · San Antonio
Sources
- TxDMV registration fee chart, 2026
- Dallas County Tax Office: Titling an Imported Vehicle
- Dallas County Tax Office locations
- Tarrant County Tax Office locations
- Tarrant County title fees
- Collin County motor vehicle services
- Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector
- North Texas Auto Theft Task Force
- Tarrant County Sheriff: VTR-68-A 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.