Kei vehicles are federally legal to import (25-year rule). • 21+ states already allow registration—Illinois is the outlier. • The current Illinois statute has an ambiguity, not a prohibition. • The fix is a narrow clarifying amendment—no new regulatory framework. • This affects real Illinois residents who own legal vehicles they can't register. • Kei vehicles are federally legal to import (25-year rule). • 21+ states already allow registration—Illinois is the outlier. • The current Illinois statute has an ambiguity, not a prohibition. • The fix is a narrow clarifying amendment—no new regulatory framework. • This affects real Illinois residents who own legal vehicles they can't register.
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Take action
Fix the statutory gap. Allow kei vehicle registration.
Illinois is treating lawfully imported kei vehicles as off-highway, so owners cannot register them for normal road use. You can help fix it—contact your legislator with a pre-written script in under a minute.
Your call or email matters — we'll give you the script.
Illinois constituents have made 30 outreach actions so far.
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Why should you care?
Unclear law blocks kei registration in Illinois. Your answer helps us show legislators who's affected and who supports a fix.
Every response helps show breadth of support.
Tyler Morales — Followed all proper import rules; the DMV and Secretary of State keep denying his registration. ChicagoChristian Eduardo Huerta — "We use our Sambar for our mobile detailing. It's an amazing marketing tool and a gas saver." In Illinois, whether you get registration is inconsistent; he's one of the lucky ones who got plates. ChicagoMercedes Weikal — Into tiny cars since 15; now has five imports including her 1989 Suzuki Every from Japan. "They're thrifty, easy to park, and bring smiles. If these vehicles remain banned, enthusiasts in Illinois like me will have less choice." Crystal Lake
Tyler Morales — Followed all proper import rules; the DMV and Secretary of State keep denying his registration. ChicagoChristian Eduardo Huerta — "We use our Sambar for our mobile detailing. It's an amazing marketing tool and a gas saver." In Illinois, whether you get registration is inconsistent; he's one of the lucky ones who got plates. ChicagoMercedes Weikal — Into tiny cars since 15; now has five imports including her 1989 Suzuki Every from Japan. "They're thrifty, easy to park, and bring smiles. If these vehicles remain banned, enthusiasts in Illinois like me will have less choice." Crystal Lake
Mission Statement
Fix the statutory gap that prevents road-legal kei vehicles in Illinois.
– Land of Kei Illinois advocacy group
Vision Statement
A narrow statutory clarification to 625 ILCS 5/3-401(c-1) so highway-built, federally lawful kei vehicles can be titled and registered in Illinois, consistent with 21+ other states.
Our message in 5 points
Kei vehicles are federally legal to import (25-year rule).
21+ states already allow registration—Illinois is the outlier.
The current Illinois statute has an ambiguity, not a prohibition.
The fix is a narrow clarifying amendment—no new regulatory framework.
This affects real Illinois residents who own legal vehicles they can't register.
