HB 25-1281: Title Register & Drive Kei Vehicles

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

A kei vehicle is the smallest road-legal, 4-wheeled vehicle in Japan and is imported into the United States as a used vehicle. The act defines a kei vehicle as a motor vehicle for the purposes of the "Uniform Motor Vehicle Law" and the "Certificate of Title Act". These acts govern issuing a certificate of title, registering a motor vehicle, and the rules of the road for motor vehicles. The act authorizes a kei vehicle to operate on the roads and requires a kei vehicle to be issued a certificate of title, be registered, and obey motor vehicle traffic laws. Driving a kei vehicle on a roadway that has a speed limit greater than 55 miles per hour or on a limited-access highway is prohibited. For emissions testing, a kei vehicle is tested not using a dynamometer but using a 2-speed idle test. The vehicle must pass the emissions standards for the year it was manufactured. The department of revenue, the Colorado state patrol, and the agents or contractors of these agencies may not require a vehicle to have an inspection because it is a kei vehicle or has the design or manufacturing parameters of a kei vehicle. And a kei vehicle may not be declared not roadworthy because of its design or manufacturing parameters. Kei vehicles are included in the motor vehicle dealer and powersports vehicle dealer statutes, and this requires a person to be licensed as a dealer to sell kei vehicles at retail. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 16 · Republican 5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 9, 2025Governor Signed
2. May 7, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. May 7, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 7, 2025Sent to the Governor
5. May 1, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
6. April 30, 2025Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
7. April 30, 2025Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
8. April 23, 2025Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Unamended to Appropriations
9. April 15, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
10. April 14, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
11. April 11, 2025House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
12. April 11, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

Showing 12 most recent of 15 actions. Full history