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In recent months, Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicle owners in Massachusetts have been engaged in a struggle with the state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) regarding the legality of their imported cars. While these vehicles have federal approval, state officials have faced pressure from private interests to keep them off the roads. However, a unified effort by car owners has shifted the momentum, prompting the RMV to announce that it will once again accept registrations for kei vehicles—at least for the time being.
On Tuesday, the RMV released an announcement that was met with enthusiasm from affected vehicle owners, which includes more than just kei trucks. Poor enforcement of the kei vehicle ban, influenced by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, had led to RMV clerks incorrectly denying titles for non-kei imported vehicles, including larger models like the R34 Nissan Skyline and Mitsubishi Delica. However, with state legislators threatening to intervene and legalize kei vehicles directly, the RMV has shifted its stance.
In its announcement, the RMV stated that it has “completed its preliminary assessment of industry standards related to kei trucks, cars, and vans,” leading to the decision to reinstate kei vehicle registrations. The agency also mentioned that it is “continuing to review safety implications of kei vehicles on public roads” and plans to conduct a “formal study” on the matter. Currently, new registrations for kei vehicles are allowed, and existing registrations will be honored, providing relief for owners of larger JDM vehicles previously misclassified as kei.
Despite this positive development, the future of kei vehicles remains uncertain, as the RMV’s announcement leaves room for potential reversals. It’s also unclear whether this change is related to imminent legislative moves intended to remove this authority from the RMV. Regardless, this conflict in Massachusetts between JDM car enthusiasts and the state motor vehicle authorities serves as a case study for owners in other states grappling with similar restrictions on their vehicles.
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