Georgia House Passes Mini‑truck Bill Allowing Imported Vehicles Older Than 25 Years on Local Roads

The Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 957 on Feb. 9, 2026, allowing imported “mini trucks” more than 25 years old to be driven on county and city roads while giving local governments the authority to prohibit them by ordinance or resolution. Representative Rob Clifton, the bill sponsor, said the bill simply creates a statutory definition and aligns the status of these older imported vehicles with prior actions on similar off‑road designs.

Clifton, who described the measure as “the mini truck bill,” told colleagues the language mirrors prior bills and that the only substantive change this year was updating the effective date. “We are creating a definition for mini truck and adding that word into the section,” he said in the well. During questions, Clifton confirmed the bill applies only to imported vehicles that do not meet federal manufacture-and-safety standards and that domestically manufactured vehicles that comply with federal rules are already permitted.

Lawmakers pressed on local control and operational details. One member asked whether cities and counties must take affirmative steps to opt out; Clifton said local governments may enforce prohibitions “however they deem fit,” and the bill allows municipalities to restrict operation on local roads. Another lawmaker asked whether private use on private property — for example, “could I use it to shoot feral hogs?” — would be permitted; Clifton replied that if the bill becomes law and the governor signs it, private property uses would be allowed.

The House ordered the previous question and agreed to the committee report favoring passage. On the recorded vote, HB 957 passed 162–5. The bill now proceeds to the governor.