Driving licences in Kenya are issued by NTSA (the National Transport and Safety Authority) as a smart driving licence - a card with a chip - and applied for through eCitizen.

Learning to drive

  1. Enrol at a registered driving school. NTSA requires it; there is no route to a licence without one. Courses usually take a few weeks.
  2. Get a provisional licence through your NTSA account on eCitizen, so you can drive with an instructor.
  3. Take the test - a theory test and a practical driving test, booked through the school.
  4. Apply for the smart licence on eCitizen, pay, and go to the NTSA office you chose for your photo and fingerprints. The card usually takes a few weeks.

Converting a foreign licence

Foreigners can drive for a short period on a valid licence from home, ideally with an International Driving Permit. If you are staying longer than about 90 days, you are expected to get a Kenyan licence.

What NTSA usually asks for:

  • Your NTSA account on eCitizen
  • Your passport with your permit or pass
  • Your valid foreign licence
  • A letter confirming the licence from your embassy or the licensing authority that issued it

Holders of licences from some countries can convert without a test; others have to take the Kenyan test. Ask NTSA which applies to yours before you start.

Renewing

Smart licences are renewed through eCitizen. Keep your NTSA account details up to date, and renew before the expiry date on the card.

Classes

Licences are issued by class - motorcycles, light vehicles, heavier vehicles and so on. A standard car licence does not cover a motorbike or a matatu.

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