Virginia would set registration and road rules for kei vehicles

The Department of Motor Vehicles would treat kei vehicles as passenger cars for registration and issue them plates and registration cards. A kei vehicle must have at least four wheels, an enclosed cab, a top speed of at least 55 mph, and be no wider than 67 inches or longer than 140 inches. It must have a gasoline engine of 1,000 cubic centimeters or less, or an electric motor of 56,000 watts or less, be imported into the United States, and be at least 25 years old or previously titled in the United States. Owners would pay the same fees as owners of passenger cars. The Department would suspend registration if it or State Police found a vehicle unsafe or not properly equipped. An officer who saw a listed defect would take the plates and registration documents.

Drivers could not operate kei vehicles on certain highways. The limits apply to kei vehicles on Virginia highways.

Local governments could not treat kei vehicles differently from other motor vehicles because they are kei vehicles. These limits apply to Virginia local governments, including Arlington County. A locality could not deny a local vehicle license solely because a vehicle is a kei vehicle or because of its design or origin.

State officials would set emissions inspection standards and needed inspection rules for kei vehicles. The duties would apply to the State Air Pollution Control Board and the Superintendent of State Police.

The bill would shield dealers from liability for damages tied to selling certain kei vehicles. The provision concerns dealers selling kei vehicles. The provision covers damages directly or indirectly tied to selling a kei vehicle that was not made to meet federal safety standards.