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 200 miles from downtown San Antonio. We don't have a San Antonio location, so this page covers what it actually takes to get a kei truck to San Antonio and register it in Bexar County: shipping costs and timing, the county tax office, and where to get the VIN inspection.
Quick facts
- Distance: about 200 miles, straight down I-10 West.
- Shipping: published 2026 open-carrier prices run from about $195 to $750, most between $300 and $700; usually 1 to 2 days on the road.
- County office: Bexar County Tax Office; walk-ins always welcome.
- VIN inspection: San Antonio police, at the TxDMV regional center, on set Wednesdays by appointment.
- Tax and fees: about $618.50 for a $7,999.99 truck in Bexar County.
- Emissions test: Bexar County starts testing on November 1, 2026, but not for vehicles 25 years or older.
Getting a kei truck from Houston to San Antonio
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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio run from about $195 to $750 on an open carrier, and most fall between $300 and $700.
| Source (route) | Published price | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Auto Transport (Houston–San Antonio, October 2026) | $195–$278 | Within 1 day |
| Homeland Auto Transport (Houston–San Antonio, 2026) | $300–$450 | About 1 day |
| Direct Connect Auto Transport (short Texas routes incl. Houston–San Antonio, May 2026) | $400–$700 | 1–3 days |
| AmeriFreight (Houston–San Antonio, 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 $310 to $500 for the 200 miles to San Antonio. 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 200 miles to San Antonio on I-10 West, roughly 3.5 hours with a trailer. 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-10 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 San Antonio that's the Bexar County Tax Office. If you live in a neighboring county, such as Comal or Guadalupe, use that county's office instead.
| County | Main office | Phone | Hours and visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bexar | Vista Verde Plaza Building, 233 N. Pecos La Trinidad, San Antonio 78207 (main office; 4 branches) | 210-335-2251 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m.; Wednesdays until 6:30 p.m. “Appointments are never necessary” (Bexar County). |
Outside Bexar County? Use your own county's office (TxDMV office finder). Bexar County doesn't publish its own checklist for imported vehicles, so follow TxDMV's out-of-state and imported vehicle requirements (TxDMV), including a certified English translation, and call ahead to confirm what they want 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 Bexar County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bexar | $500.00 | $33.00 | $51.75 | $21.50 | $12.25 | $618.50 |
Bexar County's local fees ($21.50) are among the highest on TxDMV's 2026 chart, which is why the total is about $10 more than in Houston. Emissions testing starts in Bexar County on November 1, 2026 (TxDMV), but it covers only 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 San Antonio
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Police Vehicle Crimes Unit, with TxDMV, at 6909 N. Loop 1604 E. (TxDMV San Antonio center, Rolling Oaks Mall) | Not posted; ask when you call | 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of each month, by appointment: 210-207-7345 (City of San Antonio) | Not posted; ask |
Bring your ID, proof of insurance, the bill of sale and all the import papers. If you live outside San Antonio, ask your county sheriff's office whether it does VTR-68-A inspections.
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. Bexar County is served by the San Antonio Regional Service Center (Rolling Oaks Mall, 6909 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 1199; 210-731-2130).
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a kei truck from Houston to San Antonio?
Published 2026 prices for an open carrier run from about $195 to $750, and most fall between $300 and $700. Get a written quote; we can help you arrange one.
How long does shipping from Houston to San Antonio 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 San Antonio?
San Antonio police do them at the TxDMV regional center in Rolling Oaks Mall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of the month. Call 210-207-7345 for an appointment.
Will my kei truck need an emissions test when Bexar County starts testing in November 2026?
No, not if it's 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 · Austin
Sources
- TxDMV registration fee chart, 2026
- Bexar County Tax Office: locations and hours
- Bexar County: motor vehicle
- San Antonio Police: Vehicle Crimes Unit
- TxDMV: Bexar County emissions testing (September 2026)
- 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.