After taking a few years off, the Rhode Island DMV is again trying to revoke Kei truck owners' registrations but a Senator is trying to help.
But why the decision to ban Kei trucks from Rhode Island streets? Because the DMV claims they don't meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
You basically need to design the car so pedestrians bounce over the hood instead of going under. So you can still to an SUV, but can't really do a Ford F150 style front.
The safety requirements this vehicle doesn't meet could easily be regarding hood design; highly studied and regulated to minimize pedestrian injury such as sharp angles or being pulled under the hood.