Last updated: October 15, 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 265 miles from downtown Fort Worth. We don't have a Fort Worth location, so this page covers what it actually takes to get a kei truck to Fort Worth and register it in Tarrant County, or in Parker, Johnson, Hood or Wise County if you live west or south of the city: shipping costs and timing, the county tax office, and where to get the VIN inspection. Dallas-side buyers should use our Dallas–Fort Worth page, which covers Dallas, Collin and Denton counties too.
Quick facts
- Distance: about 265 miles: I-45 North to Ennis, then US-287 through Waxahachie and Mansfield (or I-45 to I-20 West).
- Shipping: published 2026 open-carrier prices run from about $255 to $800, most between $350 and $600; usually 1 to 2 days on the road.
- County office: Tarrant County Tax Office, downtown Fort Worth or any of its seven subcourthouses; get in line online before you go.
- VIN inspection: $40 at the Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force; request it online and wait for the confirmation email.
- Tax and fees: about $607 for a $7,999.99 truck in Tarrant County ($608.50 in Parker or Johnson).
- Emissions test: none for a kei truck 25 years or older, even though Tarrant, Parker and Johnson are emissions counties.
Getting a kei truck from Houston to 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 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 Fort Worth run from about $255 to $800 on an open carrier, and most fall between $350 and $600. Fort Worth is about 25 miles farther from Houston than Dallas, so quotes run a little above the Dallas figures on our DFW page.
| Source (route) | Published price | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Auto Transport (Houston–Fort Worth, October 2026) | $254–$363 | 1–2 days |
| Homeland Auto Transport (Fort Worth–Houston, 2026) | $350–$500 | About 1 day |
| AmeriFreight (Fort Worth–Houston, 2026) | $600–$800 | 2–3 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 $410 to $660 for the 265 miles 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 265 miles to Fort Worth, roughly 4 to 4½ hours with a trailer. The usual route is I-45 North to Ennis, then US-287 North through Waxahachie, Midlothian and Mansfield into Fort Worth; I-45 to I-20 West across the southern suburbs of Dallas is the alternative. 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 highway 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. In Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield or Hurst that's the Tarrant County Tax Office. The county's FAQ for vehicles last registered outside the United States asks for the HS-7 or another customs document and a Form 68-A completed by the auto theft task force, along with Form 130-U, photo ID and proof of insurance. Weatherford (Parker County), Cleburne and Burleson (Johnson County), Granbury (Hood County), Decatur (Wise County) and Mineral Wells (Palo Pinto County) buyers use their own county's office.
| County | Main office | Phone | Hours and visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | 100 E. Weatherford St., Fort Worth 76196 (main office), plus subcourthouses in Arlington (700 E. Abram St.), Southlake (1400 Main St., Suite 110), Mansfield (1100 E. Broad St.), Hurst (645 Grapevine Hwy.), Lake Worth (6713 Telephone Rd.), Poly (3212 Miller Ave.) and southwest Fort Worth (6551 Granbury Rd.) | 817-884-1100 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at every location. Lobby ticket system, or get in line online before you arrive (Tarrant County). Questions: mvt@tarrantcountytx.gov. |
Outside Tarrant County? Use your own county's office (TxDMV office finder). Tarrant County's FAQ doesn't mention translations, but TxDMV's imported-vehicle rules call for a certified English translation of the export certificate (TxDMV), so bring one, and call ahead to confirm 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. The title fee is $33 in Tarrant, Parker, Johnson and Hood counties (all four are on the state's nonattainment or “affected county” lists), 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $10.00 | $12.25 | $607.00 |
| Parker | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $608.50 |
| Johnson | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $608.50 |
| Hood | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $10.00 | $12.25 | $607.00 |
Tarrant, Parker and Johnson 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. Hood, Wise and Palo Pinto counties don't test. If you live in Wise or Palo Pinto County, ask whether your title fee is $28 or $33; the fee chart lists only the local fee ($10 in both). Plan for the VIN inspection fee below, 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force (TRACTF), run by the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, 200 Taylor St., Fort Worth | Residents and business owners of Tarrant, Parker, Hood, Somervell, Palo Pinto, Jack and Wise counties | Request online on the Tarrant County Sheriff's VTR-68-A page (one request per vehicle); confirmation by email within 5 business days, sent Tuesday to Friday; first come, first served on your appointment day. The truck must be complete but doesn't have to run. Task force phone 817-560-6560 | $40 by check or money order payable to “TRACTF” (no cash, cards or electronic payment) |
| Fort Worth Police Auto Pound | Fort Worth residents and businesses, according to a 2019 county memo | Call 817-392-5954. The police department's current pages don't mention 68-A inspections, so ask before you count on it | Ask |
| Tri-County Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Task Force, 1305 E. Broad St., Mansfield | Anyone in Texas, according to the same 2019 memo | Call 817-728-3910 | Ask |
Bring your ID, proof of insurance, the bill of sale and all the import papers, plus the task force's confirmation email. Texas caps the inspection fee at $40 (the limit printed on Form VTR-68-A), and the form is void if it isn't filed with the county within 30 days of the inspection.
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. Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Hood, Wise and Palo Pinto counties are served by the Fort Worth Regional Service Center (2425 Gravel Dr., Fort Worth 76118; 817-285-1500), open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with walk-in service.
Kei trucks around Fort Worth
Fort Worth still calls itself Cowtown, and the country west and south of the city, from Weatherford and Granbury out to Mineral Wells and Decatur, is horse and cattle land where a 4x4 kei truck earns its keep hauling feed, fencing and tools around a property. In town they turn up as light delivery and property-maintenance vehicles and as second cars that park anywhere. Tarrant County is also one of the easier places in Texas to get the VIN inspection done, because the task force takes requests online instead of making you call for a slot, and the county lets you join the tax office line from your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a kei truck from Houston to Fort Worth?
Published 2026 prices for an open carrier run from about $255 to $800, and most fall between $350 and $600. Get a written quote; we can help you arrange one.
How long does shipping from Houston to 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 Fort Worth?
Request one online from the Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force; you'll get an appointment day by email, and the fee is $40 by check or money order. The task force serves Tarrant, Parker, Hood, Somervell, Palo Pinto, Jack and Wise counties.
Do kei trucks need an emissions test in 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, our guide to what a kei truck costs in Texas and the Texas title and registration guide. Questions? Call or text (713) 385-9798.
Other Texas cities: Houston (our lot) · Dallas–Fort Worth · Austin · San Antonio · El Paso · Corpus Christi · Lubbock · Beaumont · College Station–Bryan · Waco · Tyler–Longview · Rio Grande Valley
Buying from a nearby state: Louisiana · Oklahoma · Arkansas · New Mexico · All locations
Sources
- TxDMV registration fee chart, 2026
- TxDMV: out-of-state and foreign vehicles
- TxDMV regional service centers: hours and appointments
- Tarrant County Tax Office: locations and hours
- Tarrant County Tax Office: wait times and online queue
- Tarrant County: titling a vehicle last registered outside Texas
- Tarrant County: title fees
- Tarrant County Sheriff: VTR-68-A inspections
- Tarrant County Tax Office memo on 68-A inspection sites (2019)
- TxDMV: Fort Worth Regional Service Center
- Health and Safety Code §386.001 (affected counties, $33 title fee)
- TCEQ: vehicle emissions inspections
- TxDMV: temporary permits (30-day permit limits)
- SB 1816 (Transportation Code §545.429)
Written by Farhad Musazada, Skyline Kei Trucks. Sources checked October 15, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Email us and we'll fix it.
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.