Virginia: titling an imported car

Virginia law exempts foreign-market vehicles made 25 or more years ago from the federal-compliance proof, and issues a negotiable title for them.

Sources checked 2026-10-17. Not legal advice; rules change.

At a glance

Import ease (where verified): Official text expressly permits 25-year-old imports. Code of Virginia §46.2-602 exempts foreign-market vehicles made 25+ years ago from the federal-compliance proof.
Kei / mini-truck: No kei or mini-truck rule found in the sources read. No kei or mini-truck rule found in the official pages read.

Code of Virginia § 46.2-602(E): no foreign market vehicle manufactured 25 or more years ago is subject to the federal-compliance proof requirement; (F) a negotiable title is issued on proof of compliance or for foreign market vehicles manufactured 25 or more years ago.
Source: Va. Code § 46.2-602
DMV: imported vehicles less than 25 years old must provide proof of compliance with, or exemption from, FMVSS before titling and registration; exempt vehicles may only be registered for a specified period (see HS-7).
Source: Virginia DMV: Title an Imported Vehicle
Documents: VSA 17A, proof of address, an authentic ownership document (e.g. export certificate; if assigned to an exporting company, a bill of sale/invoice to the applicant), English translations, CBP 7501 and 3461 each showing the VIN, a VIN-bearing bill of sale or invoice, EPA 3520-1 if applicable, and the HS-7 with any additional HS-7 requirements. Fees: $15 title, sales and use tax, registration fee.
Source: Virginia DMV: Title an Imported Vehicle

Virginia safety/emissions inspection rules for 25-year-old imports were not verified (the statute mentions a Virginia safety inspection only for the 180-day conditional registration).
Sales and use tax rate for imports was not verified.
Kei-vehicle policy was not verified.