Section 30(1) of the Traffic Act provides that no person shall drive a motor vehicle unless they hold a valid driving licence or a provisional licence endorsed in respect of that class of vehicle.

Penalty for driving without a licence

A fine of up to Kshs. 20,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to 3 months for the first conviction, and a fine of up to Kshs. 30,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to 6 months or to both for subsequent convictions.

Conditions for granting a driving licence

Section 33 provides the age limit for issuance of a driving licence as 18 years and above for motor vehicles and 16 years and above for motorcycles.

For Public Service Vehicle drivers, the age limit is 24 years and above. The driver must also have had a driving licence for not less than four years.

Section 31 provides that in order to be issued with a driving licence, an Applicant must:

1. Pass the driving test;
2. Declare that they do not have any physical disability that would likely cause driving to be a source of danger to the public; and
3. Be able to read a motor vehicle identification plate at a distance of twenty-five metres. (With or without glasses).

How to apply for a provisional driving licence

Section 32 of the Traffic Act provides that you require a provisional driving licence (PDL) in order to learn how to drive. The holder of a PDL shall not be allowed to a drive on a road unless they are in the company of a qualified driver holding a valid driving licence for the class the applicant has been permitted to drive.

The process for application for a PDL is as follows:

1. Log into the TIMS NTSA portal https://tims.ntsa.go.ke
2. Select driving licence
3. Select application for PDL, fill in the required details and pay the required fee
4. Download the PDL.

Once you finish driving school, apply for the test on the NTSA TIMS portal and pay the required fee.

How to apply for a new driving licence

Section 37 of the Act provides that from 11^th December 2017, issuance of driving licences shall be digital, in the form of a smart card.

Once you pass the driving test, you may apply for issuance of a driving licence. Licence holders may also apply for the new smart licence.

The process for applying for a smart licence is as follows:

1. Log into the TIMS NTSA portal https://tims.ntsa.go.ke
2. Select driving licence.
3. Select ‘Apply for smart driving licence’.
4. Fill in the required details.
5. Pay the required fee and visit the NTSA Office with your invoice and passport photo.
6. Pick your driving licence at the prescribed time.

How to renew your driving licence

Section 30(4) provides that upon expiry of a licence, it shall be renewed for a period of 3 years.

1. Old generation driving licence

Holders of the old generation licences should apply for renewal on e-citizen. However, the renewal is only for a period of one year. The process is as follows:

1. Log into the e citizen website
2. Select the NTSA portal
3. Select Make application then select driving licence
4. Select one year driving licence renewal
5. fill in the required details and pay the required fee
6. Download your licence and stick it in your red book.

       2. Smart driving licence

Holders of the smart licences should apply for renewal on the NTSA TIMS portal. The renewal is for a period of three years. The process is as follows:

1. Log into the TIMS NTSA portal https://tims.ntsa.go.ke
2. Select driving licence.
3. Select renew driving licence and fill in the required details.
4. Pay the required fee and pick your licence from NTSA.

How to apply for a duplicate driving licence

Section 38 of the Traffic Act provides that a driver may apply for a duplicate licence where the driving licence or provisional licence is lost, defaced or mutilated.

Where your licence is lost or mutilated, you will have to apply for a new smart licence on the NTSA TIMS portal as follows:

1. Log into the TIMS NTSA portal https://tims.ntsa.go.ke
2. Select driving licence.
3. Select ‘Apply for smart driving licence’.
4. Fill in the required details.
5. Pay the required fee and visit the NTSA Office with your invoice and passport photo.
6. Pick your driving licence at the prescribed time.

How to prove you are a licensed Driver

Section 36 of the Traffic Act provides that any person driving a motor vehicle shall carry their driving licence or provisional licence.  It also states that where a police officer demands for your driving licence, you are mandated to produce it for examination.

Proof of a driving licence includes any evidence that shows you have a valid licence. This includes:

1. A Printed licence;
2. A Smart licence;
3. A licence in softcopy; or
4. A confirmation from 22846 with your licence details. Send DL (ID Number) to 22846 to receive the confirmation.