Mini-Trucks/Mini-Cabs Not Legal For Operation On U.S. Highways

Mini-Cabs (also called Mini-Trucks)

What are mini-cabs?

Mini-cabs are lightweight trucks similar in size to a golf cart. They are manufactured in Japan and are used in Japan as regular road transportation.

Why are mini-cabs making their way to the United States?

In Japan, mini-cabs are often used for regular travel. However, the cost of owning an older model mini-cab increases significantly. The Japanese government imposes high taxes and fees on older models because the emissions increase considerably. There is little to no market for used or older mini-cabs in Japan because of the high costs of owning one.

Can mini-cabs be imported into the United States?

There is not a single approved Registered Importer of mini-cabs in the United States. Importing mini-cabs is unlawful because they do not comply with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. There is one possible exception, however, for mini-cabs that are for off-road use only and have a permanently-installed engine and/or transmission governor limiting their speed to 25 miles per hour.

Should a mini-cab be titled and registered in Missouri?

No, since a mini-cab is not to be used on public roads and highways they may not be titled or registered with the Department of Revenue.

Why can't they be used on public roadways?

These types of vehicles were not intended for use on roadways in the U.S. They are not in compliance with either U.S. DOT or EPA standards, and it is not lawful to operate mini-cabs on public roads or highways.

However, there is a serious safety issue. These vehicles are very small in size and do not have the stability to be safely operated at high speeds on public roadways in close proximity to full size motor vehicles.

The Japanese have been making right hand drive light duty trucks for decades which Best Used Tractors can now import used in containers to the US, to Canada, and to many other countries around the globe. These used mini-trucks can be utilized off road here in the US like farm utility vehicles, as ranch trucks, as off road trail vehicles for hunters and rescue teams, as wholesale nursery stock transporters, as compact maintenance vehicles for golf courses, schools and universities, municipalities, parks, and zoos. They can be used at automobile wrecking yards, airports, docks & harbors, lumber yards, manufacturers, mines, parking garages, stadiums, warehouses, dairies, orchards, stables, cemeteries, hotels, marinas, campgrounds, orchards, resorts, theme parks, corporate campuses, factories, oil refineries, movie sets, fish farms, chicken processors, and as transporters of endless other types of equipment within large storage yards. Some have even used these mini-trucks in certified off-road racing events. By far the largest number of these used mini-trucks end up being used as versatile little farm trucks and go anywhere hunting trucks.

Border agents do not allow imports that are not approved by DOT and EPA, thus any mini-cab in the US is here illegally.