How can I check if my driving license is valid in Kenya

Your diving License serves as the authority that allows you to drive any class of motor vehicle on the country’s roads. You are not allowed to drive on Kenyan roads unless you hold a valid driving license.

If you are lending or leasing your vehicle to someone, it is important to check if the person’s driver’s license is valid and the class of their license is appropriate to the type of vehicle you are giving them. If this is not the case, your vehicle could be seized.

So, how do you check if your driving license is original or valid in Kenya?

Well, nowadays luckily you can access any service concerning driving license in Kenya online. This is through the e-Citizen portal, an online based portal which serves as the sole getaway to all services offered by the government.

Another perfect option is the KRA RTD driving license checker on the official KRA website. The best way however to confirm the validity of your license is via the NTSA app. You can opt for an NTSA driving permit verification by downloading the NTSA App from Google play store. Once you enter your ID in the driving license verification section, you will be able to confirm if your driving license is valid or original.

On the page that opens up, you will know the driving classes you are authorized to drive and the expiry date of the license.

This article aims to give you straightforward solutions on how you can check if your driving license is valid in Kenya.

Driving License requirements

There are certain requirements one must meet before being issued with a driving license otherwise a licensing officer won’t grant you a driving license.

1. You must have attained the legal adult age of 18 years and above for motor vehicle license and 16 years and above for a motorcycle license.
2. The applicant should undoubtedly satisfy the licensing officer that;

• He or shehas passed a competency examination of driving the particular class of vehicle and possessed a certificate of competence.
• The applicant holds a legitimate driving license for the class of vehicle that has been granted by a credible authority in a commonwealth country
• The applicant holds an International driving permit.
• The applicant needs to be able to read with or without glasses, a vehicle number plate registration from a span of twenty-five meters. Partially/ totally blind candidates are not allowed to hold a driving license.

1. Log in to your eCitizen account to check details of your DL
2. Download the NTSA application from the Google play store to check if the DL is valid
3. Go to the Driving License page in your TIMS account to confirm the details of your driving license.
4. If the DL is valid or original details such as the driving classes, full names, and expiry date will be displayed.
5. Send a message with your National ID Number to 22846 to check your DL.

Why go for a smart DL?

The issuance of the manual license is scheduled to be suspended in the near future. NTSA has requested drivers to apply and acquire the new look smart driving license or risk attracting instant fines in the future. The smart DL is valid for a period of three years.

You should apply for the smart DL using this procedure:

• Log in to your TIMS account or create one if you do not have
• Click on the driving license menu and select “Apply for smart DL”
• You will be charged Kshs. 3,050 and once you have completed the payment and its process, you will book an appointment with the NTSA.
• At the NTSA offices, your details will be confirmed, a passport photo of you, and your fingerprints will be captured.
• After you have registered, your digital driving license will be ready for collection in 5 working days or more.

In case you do not have an account on NTSA yet, follow the below guide to get started.

How do I subscribe to NTSA Tims SMS?

National Transport and Safety Authority TIMS is a free and efficient online platform whereby Kenyans can access NTSA services at the comfort of your home. In order to access the NTSA TIMS SMS services online and create your own account, there are some requirements you are supposed to meet such as provide your mobile phone number, KRA pin number, and your National Identification number. The main query on how do I subscribe to NTSA TIMS SMS? is discussed down below.

Steps on how to register your NTSA TIMS SMS

Open the NTSA website. You can find it here www.ntsa.go.ke. Click on the TIMS logo and select subscribe and receive SMS. You can now register your account on TIMS. You can register your account either as a Dealer, agent or as an individual. You can also register as a company.
Fill in the required information outlined above such as your mobile phone number, KRA pin number, and your National Identification Number in order to register your account.

You can now log in to profile with ease

Note that both the buyer and seller must have a TIMS account in order to transact business. You must also subscribe to the TIMS SMS in order to get notifications on passcodes and other relevant information that help in the registration process

NTSA SMS subscription.

How do I subscribe to NTSA TIMS SMS?

• Visit the TIMS SMS portal and subscribe. In order to subscribe, enter your mobile phone number.
• In order to confirm that you have registered for the NTSA 22847 service, you are supposed to dial certain Safaricom numbers.
• For Safaricom prepaid, you are supposed to dial 100541*
• For Safaricom postpay you are supposed to dial 200541

Services offered by NTSA platform

• Offers Kenyan cars number plate guidelines.
• Curriculum for guidelines for training Kenyan drivers
• Kenya driving books
• Booking for motor vehicle inspections
• Model town board driving test
• NTSA fines for rulebreakers in Kenya.
• Pdf downloads of vehicle Sacco’s in Kenya
• NTSA online payment platform services
• NTSA PSV license renewal services in Kenya
• NTSA speeding in Kenya
• Booking of PSV inspection services in Kenya
• Checking the number of plates of Kenyan car owners

Subscribing to NTSA services using SMS

In case of any queries concerning NTSA services you can access NTSA officials contacts down below

+254 709 932 500 (safaricom), +254 20 6632 500 (Telkom)

How can I check if my driving license is valid in Kenya?

Your diving License serves as the authority that allows you to drive any class of motor vehicle on the country’s roads. You are not allowed to drive on Kenyan roads unless you hold a valid driving license.

If you are lending or leasing your vehicle to someone, it is important to check if the person’s driver’s license is valid and the class of their license is appropriate to the type of vehicle you are giving them. If this is not the case, your vehicle could be seized.

So, how do you check if your driving license is original or valid in Kenya?

Another perfect option is the KRA RTD driving license checker on the official KRA website. The best way however to confirm the validity of your license is via the NTSA app. You can opt for an NTSA driving permit verification by downloading the NTSA App from the Google play store. Once you enter your ID in the driving license verification section, you will be able to confirm if your driving license is valid or original.

Driving License requirements

There are certain requirements one must meet before being issued with a driving license otherwise a licensing officer won’t grant you a driving license.

1. You must have attained the legal adult age of 18 years and above for a motor vehicle license and 16 years and above for a motorcycle license.
2. The applicant should undoubtedly satisfy the licensing officer that;

• He or she has passed a competency examination of driving the particular class of a vehicle and possessing a certificate of competence.
• The applicant holds a legitimate driving license for the class of vehicle that has been granted by a credible authority in a commonwealth country
• The applicant holds an International driving permit.
• The applicant needs to be able to read with or without glasses, a vehicle number plate registration from a span of twenty-five meters. Partially/ totally blind candidates are not allowed to hold a driving license.

NTSA Driving License Checker

1. Log in to your eCitizen account to check details of your DL
2. Download the NTSA application from the Google play store to check if the DL is valid
3. Go to the Driving License page in your TIMS account to confirm the details of your driving license.
4. If the DL is valid or original details such as the driving classes, full names, and expiry date will be displayed.
5. Send a message with your National ID Number to 22846 to check your DL.

Why go for a smart DL?

The issuance of a manual license is scheduled to be suspended in the near future. NTSA has requested drivers to apply and acquire the new look smart driving license or risk attracting instant fines in the future. The smart DL is valid for a period of three years.

You should apply for the smart DL using this procedure:

• Log in to your TIMS account or create one if you do not have
• Click on the driving license menu and select “Apply for smart DL”
• You will be charged Kshs. 3,050 and once you have completed the payment and its process, you will book an appointment with the NTSA.
• At the NTSA offices, your details will be confirmed, a passport photo of you, and your fingerprints will be captured.
• After you have registered, your digital driving license will be ready for collection in 5 working days or more.