Vermonter tells Senate panel DMV gave inconsistent advice on imported 'kei' mini trucks; committee to summon DMV

Rich Savela told the Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 29 that he managed to register a 2000 Subaru Sambar mini truck only after repeated calls and inconsistent advice from DMV staff. "I was repeatedly told by different DMV staff that k trucks were illegal," Savela said, adding that none of the staff who made that claim could cite a statute or written rule to support it.

Savela, who said he purchased and imported the used vehicle himself and paid applicable taxes, said he researched Vermont law before importing and found no statute that made the vehicles illegal. He noted a federal import exemption that generally applies to vehicles 25 years or older and said he planned his use accordingly.

The committee chair thanked Savela for testifying and said the panel will invite DMV officials to testify about the agency’s general practice and guidance for registering Japanese domestic-market vehicles, often called 'kei' or mini trucks, rather than only adjudicating Savela’s case. Committee members expressed sympathy for owners seeking to comply and said they would consider statutory language to remove uncertainty.

Savela urged the committee to "codify clear definitive statutory language" that would specify whether and how these vehicles may be used on Vermont roads so residents, state employees and enforcement agencies operate from the same written standard. The chair said that staff will pursue DMV input and may include language in an upcoming DMV bill draft.

The committee did not take formal action on the registration issue at the hearing; members said they would schedule DMV testimony and follow up with drafting options.