JDM Car Dealerships in Texas

Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from federal NHTSA and EPA import standards, and Texas accepts properly imported JDM vehicles with full road-use registration. Right-hand-drive is permitted, and the vehicle must meet basic equipment standards: working high and low beam headlights, brake lights and turn signals, at least one side mirror, a horn, and a windshield with wipers.

Bring your federal import paperwork (CBP Form 7501, EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7), the Japanese export certificate with a notarized translation, your bill of sale, proof of insurance meeting Texas's 25/50/25 minimums, and a valid ID to your county tax assessor-collector. Texas requires a VIN inspection by law enforcement or an authorized agent, and short Japanese chassis numbers are accepted. Title fee is $28; registration fees are weight-based, plus county sales/use tax.

Kei truck titling in Texas has been actively contested. The Texas DMV tightened guidance on titling imported mini-trucks in recent years, and some owners have had new applications denied or steered toward off-road classification. Already-titled kei trucks generally remain registered, and many Texas dealers continue to sell road-titled examples — but rules here change faster than in most states. Confirm current titling status with your county tax assessor-collector and ask the dealer about their recent buyers' experiences before purchasing.

Most Texas dealers ship nationwide and provide the bill of sale and federal import documents your home state's DMV will need. Houston in particular is a port-of-entry city, so dealers there often coordinate transport directly from container clearance.