Kei Trucks for New Hampshire Buyers

By Farhad Musazada, owner of Skyline Kei Trucks. Last updated: October 24, 2026. Statute and agency rules verified October 2026; fees, taxes and shipping estimates checked October 2026. Based on New Hampshire Revised Statutes 261:3, 261:2-a and 261:153 and Division of Motor Vehicles guidance (sources at the end). Shipping prices are published estimates, not quotes. General information, not legal advice.

Our kei trucks are on our lot in east Houston, about 1,865 miles from Nashua by the auto-transport brokers' published distances; Manchester is about 1,886 miles away, Dover 1,898 and Concord 1,899. New Hampshire has no law written for kei or mini trucks, so a 25-year-old kei truck is registered like any other truck, with no kei-specific road limits, no sales tax and, since early 2026, no state inspection. The catch is the process: registration starts at your town or city clerk's office, an import needs a VIN verification, and 2000 and 2001 models need a New Hampshire title while older ones don't. This page covers the law, titles, inspections, paperwork, fees and getting the truck home.

Key facts

Street legal: yes. There is no kei or mini-truck law, and we found no road or speed limit for a registered kei truck.
How it registers: a permit from your town or city clerk, then state registration and plates, priced by weight; most towns and cities are also state agents, so your clerk may be able to do both parts.
Title: none for model year 1999 and older (a voluntary title is available since August 18, 2026); 2000 and 2001 models need a New Hampshire title.
Paperwork: a VIN verification (form TDMV 19A), our bill of sale, the Japanese export certificate with our English translation, CBP Form 7501, DOT HS-7 (Box 1), EPA Form 3520-1 and proof of residency.
Taxes: none. New Hampshire has no sales tax.
Fees: town permit fee of 0.3% of the maker's list price (at least $5), a $2 clerk fee and any local fees; state registration $42 a year up to 3,000 lb gross; $8 for plates; $35 title for 2000 and 2001 models.
Insurance: not required, but you must be able to pay for an accident you cause; a policy must carry at least 25/50/25 liability, $1,000 of medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage.
Inspection: none at present; the annual inspection law was repealed effective January 31, 2026.

Are kei trucks legal in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire has no statute written for kei or mini trucks. Its Vehicle Code defines a truck as “every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property” (RSA 259:115-b), which describes a kei truck, and a vehicle on a public way must have “been registered and the appropriate fee paid” (RSA 261:40). Our trucks are 25 or more years old (model year 2001 and older in 2026) and come in under HS-7 Box 1 (see our 25-year import rule guide). We found no rule that treats a registered kei truck differently from other trucks.

The state's road rules for utility vehicles, which some websites apply to kei trucks, are for off-road machines: RSA 265:160 keeps utility vehicles and off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs) to roads “where the posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour or less,” or 35 for a compact utility tractor, and only where the route is open to them. A kei truck registered as a truck is neither (see our kei truck vs. UTV guide).

Besides standard registration, two plate types come with limits. Antique registration is for a vehicle “over 25 years old” kept for exhibitions, club activities and parades, not daily use or commerce (RSA 259:4); agricultural plates are for farm trucks used “within a 20 mile radius from the main entrance to the farm,” not for commuting or leisure (RSA 261:82).

The 2026 changes are about inspections and titles, covered below; we found no 2025 or 2026 bill on kei or mini trucks. Moving the truck to another state later, or want to see how New Hampshire compares? Our kei truck laws by state map covers all 50 states, with each state's status, statute and the 2026 changes.

Does a kei truck need a New Hampshire title?

It depends on the model year. RSA 261:3 says no title is needed for “Any motor vehicle whose manufacturer's model year is before the year 2000,” heavy trucks aside. A 1999 or older kei truck is title-exempt; a 2000 or 2001 model needs a New Hampshire title. In a dispute, the DMV director makes “the final determination of any vehicle model year” (RSA 261:153).

A title-exempt truck still needs documents: RSA 261:2-a allows registering one only with a previous New Hampshire registration, a valid title, a title application or “a current New Hampshire vehicle identification number verification form.” Ours have never been registered in the U.S., so you'll use the VIN verification form, which the DMV requires for vehicles “from a Foreign Country” anyway. Since August 18, 2026, the same documents can also get you a voluntary title (RSA 261:3), a recorded proof of ownership if you sell the truck later.

For a 2000 or 2001 truck, only town and city clerks, New Hampshire dealers and lienholders may prepare the title application. The title costs $35, up from $25 on January 1, 2026 (RSA 261:20), and is mailed within 40 to 50 days of the DMV receiving the application (DMV). HB 1421 (2026) would replace the 2000 cutoff with an exemption for vehicles older than 20 years; it passed the House and was laid on the table in the Senate on May 7, 2026.

Does New Hampshire still inspect vehicles?

Not at present. House Bill 2 of 2025 repealed the annual inspection law, RSA 266:1, and the sections around it, effective January 31, 2026.

Emissions testing was part of the state's federal clean-air plan, and in January 2026 a federal judge ordered the program to continue in a Clean Air Act lawsuit. The state never restarted it; on April 30, 2026 the First Circuit Court of Appeals stayed that order, and the Attorney General's Office has told drivers they no longer need yearly inspections (NHPR). The EPA proposed a conditional approval of the repeal on August 11, 2026 (Federal Register); until it is final, check with the DMV before you register in case anything changes.

For a kei truck, that means no inspection before plates, though the one-time VIN verification still applies and you remain responsible for keeping the truck safe to drive.

How do you title an imported kei truck in New Hampshire?

Through your town or city clerk, once the truck is in New Hampshire. The DMV calls registration “a two-part process” that starts at the clerk's office (DMV): the clerk issues the town permit and prepares any title application, and, as most towns and cities are also municipal agents of the state, may be able to finish the state registration for an additional fee. The DMV's lists, plus what comes with every truck we sell:

A VIN Verification form (TDMV 19A), required for vehicles “from a Foreign Country,” completed by a New Hampshire law enforcement officer, dealer or authorized inspection station (no DMV fee; the verifier may charge). The chassis number serves as the VIN (see our VIN and frame number guide); kei odometers read in kilometers.
Our bill of sale (“a proper bill of sale pursuant to RSA 261:148,” for a title-exempt truck)
The Japanese export certificate, the truck's proof of ownership, with our English translation
CBP Form 7501, NHTSA Form HS-7 (Box 1 checked) and EPA Form 3520-1, which the DMV pages we found don't ask for but which show the truck was lawfully imported
For a 2000 or 2001 model, the title application and the $35 fee
Proof of residency, as your town or city asks for it
Payment for the permit, registration and plates

We found no deadline for registering a truck you aren't driving, but it can't go on a public way until it is registered (RSA 261:40). DMV: (603) 227-4000; Title Bureau: (603) 227-4150.

Insurance isn't on the list: “New Hampshire motor vehicle laws do not require you to carry auto insurance,” but if you cause an accident and can't pay, “your driving privileges in New Hampshire may be suspended.” A policy must carry at least 25/50/25 liability, $1,000 of medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits (Insurance Department guide). A 2026 bill to require proof of insurance or financial responsibility at registration, HB 1558, was voted inexpedient to legislate on February 19, 2026.

What are the taxes and fees in New Hampshire?

There is no sales tax: the Department of Revenue Administration says “there is no general sales tax on goods purchased in New Hampshire” (NH DRA), and the Vehicle Code says residents' motor vehicles “shall not be taxed” (RSA 261:162). Texas doesn't charge its motor vehicle sales tax on a vehicle “purchased in Texas for use exclusively outside Texas” that isn't used here beyond the trip out or registered here; the buyer gives the seller Form 14-312 (Texas Comptroller). With no New Hampshire tax to credit, you pay only fees, at the town office and to the state.

Item	Amount
State sales or use tax	$0.00 (none)
Town permit fee	3 mills per dollar (0.3%) of the maker's list price, at least $5
Town clerk fee	$2.00
Municipal agent fee (if your clerk is an agent)	up to $3.00
Local reclamation and transportation fees, where adopted	up to $8.00 ($3 reclamation, up to $5 transportation)
State registration, one year	$42.00 up to 3,000 lb gross; $48.00 for 3,001 to 5,000 lb
Plates (first time)	$8.00
Title (model years 2000 and 2001 only)	$35.00
Total	about $52 to $104 plus the town permit fee

Example for a $7,999.99 truck with standard plates; fees from RSA 261:153 (permit, reclamation and transportation), 261:152 (clerk), 261:74-d (agent), 261:141 (registration) and 261:20 (title), and the DMV's registration page (plates). The town fee is 3 mills per dollar for a vehicle five or more model years old, figured on the maker's list price rather than the price you pay, so ask your clerk what list price it will use for a truck never sold new in the U.S. The state fee goes by gross weight, the truck plus “the manufacturer's rated load capacity” (RSA 261:142). Local fees apply only where your town has adopted them.

How do you get it home from Houston?

On a trailer or a carrier. An unregistered kei truck can't be driven on Texas roads, and in New Hampshire it can't go on a public way until it's registered. Kei trucks are no more than about 11 ft 2 in long and 4 ft 10 in wide, so they fit a standard car-hauler trailer behind a half-ton pickup. Our lot is just off I-10 on the east side of Houston. Lot hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; call or text (713) 385-9798 to set a time.

Destination	From our lot	Published price range (2026)	Transit
Nashua	about 1,865 miles	moveBuddha $1,313–$2,066	3–11 days
Manchester	about 1,886 miles	Freedom Auto Transport $1,072–$1,531; moveBuddha $1,354–$1,907	5–8 days (moveBuddha: 3–11)
Dover	about 1,898 miles	moveBuddha $1,407–$2,086	3–11 days
Concord	about 1,899 miles	moveBuddha $1,340–$2,007	3–11 days

Prices are the brokers' own published estimates for a running vehicle, not quotes. Freedom and moveBuddha publish one range per route, and Freedom says open, door-to-door shipping keeps the price in the lower end of its range. A kei truck is smaller and lighter than the cars they price, but brokers don't list a separate rate for them. 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. We help arrange an independent carrier and you pay the carrier directly; see delivery to your state.

Where do you go to title and register it?

Start at your town or city clerk's office; most towns and cities are also municipal agents of the state, so the clerk may be able to complete the state registration too. Otherwise, take the permit to a DMV office: registrations are handled at Concord (23 Hazen Drive), Dover, Epping, Gorham, Keene, Manchester, Milford, Nashua, Newport, Salem, Tamworth and Twin Mountain, generally 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, with priority for appointments (DMV hours and locations). The Title Bureau is at 23 Hazen Drive, Concord 03305, (603) 227-4150; the DMV's main line is (603) 227-4000 (DMV form TDMV 121). With state inspections stopped, start with your local police department for the VIN verification once the truck arrives.

Kei trucks in New Hampshire

New Hampshire farms are small: 3,949 of them in 2022 on 417,187 acres, averaging 106 acres (USDA Census of Agriculture). Hay and haylage cover 60,594 acres, far more than any other crop; the state also grows Christmas trees on 3,425 acres and vegetables on 3,141, and 28% of its farms sell directly to consumers. That's work a kei truck suits: hay, feed and bedding on dairy and livestock farms, Christmas tree rows, produce for the farm stand, and firewood, camps and woodlots. Registered, it can use the same roads as any truck. We found no rule keeping it off I-93, but it is a small truck in fast traffic (see our top speed and mpg guide); for snow and mud, see our 4x4, hi-lo and diff lock guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are kei trucks street legal in New Hampshire?

Yes. With no kei or mini-truck law, a 25-year-old kei truck is registered like any other truck through your town or city clerk. The 40 and 35 mph road rules in RSA 265:160 are for utility vehicles, OHRVs and compact utility tractors.

Does a kei truck need a title in New Hampshire?

Only a 2000 or 2001 model ($35, through your clerk). Model year 1999 and older trucks are title-exempt and are registered with a bill of sale and a VIN verification form; a voluntary title has been available since August 18, 2026.

Does a kei truck need an inspection in New Hampshire?

Not at present. The annual inspection law was repealed effective January 31, 2026, and the state hasn't restarted the program. The one-time VIN verification still applies.

Is there sales tax on a kei truck in New Hampshire?

No. You pay the town permit fee (0.3% of the maker's list price, at least $5), a $2 clerk fee and any local fees, then $42 a year for state registration up to 3,000 lb gross, $8 for plates and, for a 2000 or 2001 model, $35 for the title.

Do you need insurance on a kei truck in New Hampshire?

State law doesn't require it, but if you cause an accident you must be able to pay or your driving privileges may be suspended. A policy must carry at least 25/50/25 liability, $1,000 of medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage.

Can you ship a kei truck to New Hampshire?

Yes. We help arrange an independent carrier and you pay the carrier directly; published 2026 estimates from Houston run from about $1,072 (Manchester) to $2,086 (Dover).

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 comparison of the Hijet, Carry, Acty and Sambar and how buying from us works. Questions? Call or text (713) 385-9798.

Buying from another state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · Connecticut · Florida · Indiana · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Massachusetts · Michigan · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · New Jersey · New Mexico · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · South Carolina · Tennessee · Utah · Virginia · West Virginia · Wyoming · Delivery to your state · All locations · Laws in all 50 states (map)

Sources

Written by Farhad Musazada, owner of Skyline Kei Trucks

Farhad imports more than 300 kei trucks a year to Houston and meets buyers at the lot at 6100 Harvey Wilson Dr. He writes these guides from the paperwork our buyers take to the county tax office and the official sources listed on each page. Spotted something out of date? Email us and we will check 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 in any state, and being unable to do so is not grounds to cancel a purchase. Laws and agency practice change; confirm with your state's motor vehicle agency before you buy. See our Terms of Sale and Shipping & Pickup Policy.