HB 957: Motor vehicles; operation of miniature on-road vehicles on certain highways; provide

Currently Georgia law does not have a specific category for small imported vehicles built for roads in other countries, such as Japanese kei trucks and similar mini vehicles. This bill defines a 'miniature on-road vehicle' as an imported vehicle that can carry people, travels between 25 and 65 miles per hour, is no wider than 80 inches, has four or more wheels, a steering wheel, a non-straddle seat, and weighs less than 4,000 pounds, and is not a golf cart, ATV, or off-highway vehicle. The bill allows these vehicles to be registered and titled under rules similar to those for multipurpose off-highway vehicles, requires license plates identifying them as such, sets an annual license fee of $20, and applies a flat ad valorem (property) tax based on a $100 valuation, similar to antique vehicles. It requires safety equipment such as headlights, brake lights, taillights, a rearview mirror, and safety belts, limits operation to municipal and county roads (with authority to cross state highways), and lets local governments ban their use on local roads as long as they post notice. Most provisions take effect October 1, 2026, except a license plate size provision that takes effect January 1, 2032.

• Creates a legal definition for 'miniature on-road vehicles' (small imported vehicles like kei trucks) in Georgia's motor vehicle code (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1).
• Allows these vehicles to be registered and issued license plates without a certificate of title, similar to other unconventional vehicles.
• Sets an annual license fee of $20.00 for miniature on-road vehicles, the same as for motorcycles and multipurpose off-highway vehicles.
• Applies a flat property tax based on a $100 valuation to these vehicles, similar to how antique or hobby vehicles are taxed.
• Requires the vehicles to have headlights, brake lights, taillights, a rearview mirror, and safety belts, and limits where they can be driven.
• Gives local governments the power to ban these vehicles from local roads, provided they post warning signs at the affected roads.

Owners and importers of small foreign-market vehicles such as kei trucks and mini vans, the Department of Revenue and county tag offices that handle registration and taxes, local city and county governments that can restrict where the vehicles are driven, and drivers sharing the road with these vehicles.

People who import small foreign vehicles for personal or work use would get a clear legal path to register, plate, and drive them on Georgia roads, something not clearly addressed before. Local governments would also gain explicit authority to keep these vehicles off certain roads if they choose.

• Section 1 adds a detailed definition of 'miniature on-road vehicle' to O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1, covering speed, width, weight, wheel count, and steering requirements.
• Section 2 exempts miniature on-road vehicles more than 25 years old, or newer ones certified as federally compliant by a registered importer, from standard certificate of registration rules.
• Sections 3 through 5 require distinct license plates for these vehicles and set a January 1, 2027 deadline for the state to make those plates available, with a related plate-size rule change effective January 1, 2032.
• Section 6 sets the annual license fee at $20.00, matching motorcycles and multipurpose off-highway vehicles.
• Section 8 requires safety equipment (headlights, brake lights, taillights, mirror, seat belts) and restricts operation to municipal and county roads, allowing crossing of state highways.
• Section 9 lets local governments prohibit miniature on-road vehicles on local roads, provided they post traffic-control signs at affected roads or intersections.
• Section 10 applies a flat ad valorem tax based on a $100.00 valuation to these vehicles, similar to the treatment of antique and hobby vehicles.
• Section 11 sets the general effective date as October 1, 2026, with the license plate size change in Section 4 delayed until January 1, 2032.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senado)
2. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senado)
3. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senado)
4. 2026-02-10Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
5. 2026-02-09House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2026-02-09House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2026-02-03House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2026-01-15House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)

• Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)Patrocinador principal
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)
• Kimberly New (R, HD-040)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes9 de febrero de 2026

   160 a favor, 5 en contra (2 sin votar, 8 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #486

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado31 de marzo de 2026

   39 a favor, 10 en contra (2 sin votar, 3 ausentes)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

• kei trucks
• vehicle registration
• license plates
• motor vehicle law
• property taxes