First time applicant

  • For one to obtain a driving licence in Kenya for the first time one needs to go through the following steps

1.Enrol in a driving school
Requirements for enrolment to train as a driver are as follows:

a) One should not be less than 16 years old.
b) One should have obtained a Police clearance certificate.
c) Ones should have no criminal record.
d) One should have no previous dangerous driving offence record.
e) One should have medical test certificate.
f) One should be able to read and write in the official languages.

2. Apply for a Provisional Driving licence (PDL)

  • A provisional driving licence is issued to an applicant who wants to undergo training in driving. It is endorsed in respect of any class or classes of motor vehicle which if he held a driving license he would be entitled to drive, in order that the applicant may learn to drive such class or classes of vehicle. This license is valid for three (3) months only but may be renewed for further periods of three months on payment of the prescribed fee of Ksh 650.
  • The application for the PDL is done through Kenya’s Government Service Portal E-Citizen E-Citizen NTSA, where a fee of Ksh 650 charged. The PDL becomes available after 24 hours.
  • This is done through the following steps:
(i) Log in to the eCitizen website. You will be required to provide your email address or your National ID Number and password in order to access the online portal. If you are logging in for the first time, you will have to create or sign up for an account.
(ii) Once you have logged in, select the National Transport and Safety Authority tab for driving licence application then click on Provisional Driving Licence NC application.
(iii) Fill in the required details which include:

a) Driving School
b) Instructors NTSA Number
c) Driving Licence Category
d) Residential Address
(iv) After reviewing the details and you are satisfied that the information you have given is accurate, then, click submit.
(v) A fee of Ksh 650 is charged for the process. Instructions of payment will be generated automatically and provided online. Modes of payment include Mobile money and debit transfers.
(vi) After you have paid and submitted a successful application, you will able to print the NTSA Provincial Driving Licence slip.

3. Book for a driving test with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA)

  • After the applicant has completed the driving course, he should apply for a driving test with the NTSA. The test booking is done online on https://ntsa.ecitizen.go.ke and test at NTSA Centres. A fee of Ksh 650 charged for the test. Upon a successful completion of the test one is issued with a Certificate of Competence (C of C)

 

Obtaining a certificate of competence (C of C)

  • When an applicant is satisfied that he can take a driving test, he shall be required to book for a test stating the date, time and location he would like to go for the driving test. A test booking certificate shall be issued upon payment of the prescribed fee. All driving tests are undertaken at Driving Test Units (DTU) which are based across the country. The driving tests are conducted by driving test examiners (DTE) and shall include a test of the applicant’s.
a) Knowledge of the rules of road;
b) Knowledge of recognized road signals and road signs;
c) Knowledge of any authorized road or Highway Code; and
d) Physical fitness to drive a motor vehicle of the class for which the license is required.
  • Once an applicant has passed a driving test, he shall be issued with a certificate of competence (C of C) indicating the class or classes of motor vehicle he is permitted to drive. The C of C is valid for a period of three (3) months, and upon expiry, it will be at the discretion of the licensing officer to decide whether the applicant will under-go another driving test, or on the contrary approve the application for payment of the driving license.

 

4. Apply for the driving licence.
This is done online through NTSA Online Portal ; one is required to pay a fee of Ksh 750 which is charged for the application.

  1. Log in to the eCitizen website. You will be required to provide your email address or your National ID Number and password in order to access the online portal.
  2. Once you have logged in, select the National Transport and Safety Authority tab for driving licence application then click on Driving Licence NC application.
  3. Fill in the required details which include:
    a) Test drive booking type
    b) Licenced Test Drive Booking Number
  4. After reviewing the details and you are satisfied that the information you have given is accurate, then, click submit.
  5. A fee of Ksh 750 is charged for the process. Instructions of payment will be generated automatically and provided online. Modes of payment include Mobile money and debit transfers.
  6. After you have paid and submitted a successful application, you will be able to print the NTSA issued Interim Driving Licence which can be used as one waits for the Driving licence.
  7. The driving licence is issued after 14 working days. Instructions on collection issued licence are send via email and text.
  8. One is required to physically present themselves while collecting the driving licence. Proof of identity is required when picking up the driving licence.

Required Documents

  1. Proof of identity. (National Identity Card or Passport)
  2. Two passport size photographs
  3. Foreign license
  4. Copy of interim license and payment receipt
  5. Certificate of Competence (C of C)

Office Locations & Contacts

E-Citizen National Transport and Safety Authority application portal: NTSA E-citizen Portal
National Transport and Safety Authority Hill Park Building; Upper Hill, Nairobi Kenya

Safaricom: 0709 932 000
Telkom: 020 6632 000
Email: info@ntsa.go.ke
Website: National Transport and Safety Authority

E-Citizen Queries
Safaricom Line: 0709 932 300
Telkom Line: 020 6632 300

Email: info@hudumakenya.go.ke

Website: Huduma Kenya

Huduma centre locations: Huduma centres Locations

Eligibility

General eligibility criteria
The following are the conditions for granting of driving licence in Kenya. The licensing officer shall not grant you a driving licence unless;

  • You have attained the age of 16 years
  • You have passed the driving test and you are competent to drive that class of motor vehicle and that you hold a certificate of competence.
  • You are holder of a valid motorcycle driving licence granted by competent authority in a country of the commonwealth.
  • You have acquired an international motorcycle driving licence.
  • When you make a declaration as to whether or not that you are suffering from any such disease or physical disability which would result to cause road accident while you are driving.
  • You are able to read with glasses if worn, a motor vehicle identification plate at a distance of 25 meters. Note that, a blind person or a person whose one eye is blind is not allowed to possess a driving licence.
  • Where you are suffering from any such disease or physical disability which may result to you causing a road accident while driving, the licensing officer won’t issue you with a driving licence unless; You produce a medical certificate from a medical practitioner, stating that you are physically fit to drive that class or classes of motor vehicles in question.
  • You have undergone a driving test and you pass.

 

Motorcycle driver licence categories

  • Category A1 ( Moped);Enables one to ride a motorcycle to and including 50 C.C , No passengers or loads are allowed to be carried. Minimum age of eligibility is 16 years
  • Category A2 (light motorcycle): Enables one to ride a motorcycle above 50 C.C The driver can carry a passenger and a maximum load 60 Kg (up to 400 C.C). Minimum age of eligibility 18 years.
  • Category A3 (motorcycle taxi, couriers and three wheelers): Enables one to ride a motorcycle 100 C.C and above. Carry a maximum load 100 Kg (for up to 50 C.C) and can carry a passenger. Eligibility for this category is a minimum age of 21 years and one year riding experience of category A2
  • Category B1 ( motorcycle taxi , couriers and three wheelers ): Enable one to drive a light vehicle ( passenger car) with a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 3500 kg with one light trailer ( not exceeding 750 kg) One can drive a vehicle equipped with both a manual or automatic gearbox. Minimum age of eligibility 18 years

Fees

  • Application Fee: No Fee
  • The applicant is required to pay for Ksh 600 for provisional driving licence. A convenience fee of Ksh 50 is also charged totalling to Ksh 650
  • The applicant is required to pay a driving test fee of Ksh 600. A convenience fee of Ksh 50 is also charged totalling to Ksh 650
  • A driving licence is valid for either one (1) year or three (3) years depending on which one you have paid for. A three-year licence will cost Sh1400 plus a Sh50convinience fee. A one-year licence on the other hand will cost Sh600 and Sh50 convenience fee.

Validity

  • The validity of the driving licence will either be for a period of twelve (12) months or three (3) years from the date of issue at the option of the holder.
  • Interim driving licenses are only valid for 1 year after which, you are expected to have your full license which is valid for a period of twelve (12) months or three (3) years depending on the license you paid for.
  • However, your license shall lose its validity, if it gets cancelled due to any action that in violation of part VIII of the traffic act in the Kenyan Law
Processing Time
  • Online Application Time: 30 minutes (Depending on whether details are available in the system)
  • Maximum Processing Time for Provisional Driving licence: 24 hours
  • Maximum Processing Time for Test Booking: Immediate (Depending on whether details are available in the system)
  • Maximum Processing Time for Interim Driving licence: Immediate
  • Maximum Processing Time for Driving licence: 14 working days
Discover more from Magari Poa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.