For many Kenyan first-time drivers, the NTSA driving test feels like the final mountain to climb before earning that long-awaited DL. But what actually happens during a driving exam? How prepared should you be? And why do some people pass easily while others fail repeatedly?

To answer these questions, MagariPoa.com followed a real candidate’s journey—John Mwangi, 27, from Ruai—through the entire exam process, from driving school to test day.

This article breaks down exactly how driving exams are conducted in Kenya, what examiners look for, common mistakes, and insider truths you won’t hear from your instructor.

1. Before the Exam: How Learners Are Prepared

1.1 Registration at a Driving School

John joined a reputable driving school in Nairobi that followed NTSA’s Competency-Based Training (CBT) curriculum.

He was required to:

• Provide a copy of his ID

• Take an eye test

• Pay the training + exam fees

• Register on the NTSA TIMS system

The CBT curriculum includes:

• 20+ hours theoretical training

• 16 hours practical training

• Simulator training in some schools

Most learners fail because they skip theory classes and only show up during practicals. But NTSA increasingly tests theory knowledge.

2. Theory (Computer-Based) Exam: The First Big Filter

This is the part many candidates underestimate.

The exam is taken at an NTSA-approved centre such as:

• NTSA Likoni Road headquarters

• County Commissioners’ offices

• Huduma Centres (some centres)

John’s experience:

• He arrived at 8:00 a.m.

• Verified biometrics

• Sat at a computer terminal

• Answered 50 multiple-choice questions, including:

  • Road signs

  • Highway code

  • Defensive driving

  • First aid

  • Vehicle maintenance

Passing score: 80% and above.

John says:

“The tricky part wasn’t road signs. It was the situational questions—like who has right of way on a roundabout.”

He passed.

? Note: If you fail at this stage, you cannot proceed.

3. Practical Exam Day: What Really Happens

The practical test has three parts:

1. Vehicle Inspection Test

2. Yard Test (“The NTSA Yard”)

3. Road Test

We followed John to the Lang’ata NTSA driving test yard, one of the busiest in Nairobi.

3.1 Step 1: Vehicle Inspection

Before touching the wheel, the examiner asked John to demonstrate:

• How to check engine oil

• How to check coolant

• How to identify worn tyres

• How to test lights and indicators

This section is where many learners are caught off guard.

The examiner asked:

“If your car overheats, what are the first three things you check?”

3.2 Step 2: Yard Test

The test includes:

a) Hill Start

• Stop on an incline

• Release handbrake smoothly without rolling backwards

Most fails happen here.

b) Reversing Test

Reverse through S-shape without hitting cones.

c) Parallel Parking

Park between two cones in perfect alignment.

What John Noticed at the Yard

• Examiners rarely smile; they maintain a strict, neutral tone.

• They record everything on a tablet for NTSA digital scoring.

• Other candidates observe, adding pressure.

One woman failed before starting because she:

“Entered the car and forgot to adjust the mirrors and seat.”

3.3 Step 3: Road Test

If you pass the yard, you move to public roads.

The examiner sat next to John while another candidate sat in the back seat.

What the examiner looked for:

• Indicating correctly

• Gap judgement

• Clutch control

• Observation (very important!)

• Obeying signs and speed limits

• Defensive driving

John says:

“The examiner asked me to join a busy road near Carnivore. The moment I hesitated too long, he wrote something on his tablet.”

Common fail points:

• Touching the curb during U-turns

• Not checking mirrors frequently enough

• Hesitating too much when joining intersections

4. Final Results: The Truth

Back at the NTSA office, results were uploaded to TIMS.

• John passed the road test,

• Scored average on hill start,

• And almost failed reverse S-parking.

He received his digital interim license the same day.

5. What Examiners Privately Say Learners Should Know

After spending the day at the yard, we interviewed two examiners (names withheld).

They said:

Common mistakes:

1. Panic ? 40% of failures

2. Poor observation

3. Relying too much on driving school shortcuts

4. Overconfidence

Most underrated skill:

“Smooth clutch and accelerator balance.”

Most dangerous habit:

“Learners who memorise yard routes but cannot drive on real roads.”

6. Hidden Realities: What People Don’t Tell You

1. The yard is a psychological test

They want to see if you crumble under pressure.

2. Examiners can spot a poorly trained school

Good schools produce consistent results.

3. Corruption exists—but is shrinking

Digital scoring and biometrics have reduced “shortcuts,” but some isolated cases still exist.

4. Not all learners pass on the first attempt

Failure rates in some centres are as high as 50–60%.

7. How to Prepare and Pass on the First Try

• Attend all theory lessons

• Practice hill starts repeatedly

• Practice S-parking and reversing cones

• Drive on real roads with real traffic

• Get enough sleep before the test

• Avoid relying on “shortcuts” or bribes

Conclusion: The Exam Is Fair—But Only If You’re Prepared

John’s experience shows that the NTSA driving exam in Kenya is:

• Thorough

• Standardized

• Increasingly technology-driven

• Focused on safety rather than perfection

Your best chance of passing is simple:

Train well, practice often, and stay calm.