In Kenya, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is the sole organization that issues various licenses to drivers or individuals who want to drive on Kenyan roads. Driving on Kenyan roads without a valid driving license that matches your vehicle category is not allowed, and it can lead to severe fines or even imprisonment when discovered. To avoid all these penalties, if you have a driving license and want to drive another vehicle category, you can easily apply for an endorsement from the NTSA, which requires a specific process to be followed.
By the way, if you want to know which driving license classes are offered, we cover driving license classes, fees, and application process in depth separately. Under the current NTSA rules, you can only be given a license for a particular vehicle class, and if you need to change or add another class, you need to apply for an endorsement. Here is everything that you need to know and understand about the process.
What is a driving class endorsement?
When you need to change your vehicle type or add another vehicle category beyond what your original driving license states, you have to apply for a driving class endorsement. Unlike in the past, when you went to driving school and studied various vehicle categories at the same time, now NTSA permits you to study one category at a time and get licensed before applying for any other relevant category applicable to you, depending on your vehicle type.
A driving class endorsement essentially adds new vehicle classes to your existing driving license without requiring you to obtain a completely separate license. This system ensures that drivers are properly trained and tested for each specific vehicle category they intend to operate.
Getting a driving license endorsement is essential not only for you but also for making our roads safer for everyone. In 2025, NTSA is taking this even more seriously, especially for commercial vehicles like matatus and trucks, where they have introduced stricter testing procedures and enhanced training requirements to ensure higher safety standards across all vehicle categories.
Driving License Classes in Kenya
To help you understand what categories you might want to add through endorsement, here’s a breakdown of the main driving license classes offered by NTSA in Kenya. Each class has specific vehicle types, age requirements, and sometimes prior experience needed.
| Class | Subclass | Vehicle Description | Minimum Age | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | A1 (Moped) | Motorcycles up to 50cc, no passengers or loads | 16 | None |
| A | A2 (Light Motorcycle) | Motorcycles above 50cc, max load 60kg (up to 400cc), can carry passenger | 18 | None |
| A | A3 (Motorcycle Taxi, Couriers, Three Wheelers) | Motorcycles above 100cc, max load 100kg, can carry passenger | 21 | 1 year A2 experience |
| B | B1 (Light Vehicle) | Passenger cars up to 3500kg GVW, manual/auto, up to 7 passengers | 18 | None |
| B | B2 (Light Vehicle Automatic) | Passenger cars up to 3500kg GVW, automatic only, up to 7 passengers | 18 | None |
| B | B3 (Professional) | Passenger cars up to 3500kg GVW, manual/auto, up to 7 passengers | 21 | None |
| C | C1 (Light Truck) | Trucks 3500-7500kg GVW, manual/auto | 22 | None |
| C | C (Medium Truck) | Trucks over 7500kg GVW | 24 | 2 years C1 experience, training |
| C | CE (Heavy Truck with Trailer) | Trucks over 7500kg with trailer/articulated | 28 | 4 years C experience, training/retesting |
| C | CD (Hazardous Materials) | Heavy trucks with trailer, hazardous transport | 30 | 2 years CE experience, training/retesting |
| D | D1 (Van) | Vans up to 14 passengers | 22 | None |
| D | D2 (Mini-bus) | Buses 14-32 passengers | 25 | 3 years D1 experience, training/retesting |
| D | D3 (Large Bus) | Buses 33+ passengers | 30 | 3 years D2 experience, training/retesting |
| E | Special Professional | Covers C1/C/CE/D/D1/D2/D3 variants | 21 | 3 months practice in relevant class |
| F | Persons with Disability (PWD) | Adapted vehicles based on trained class | 18 | As per abled class |
| G | Industrial/Construction/Agricultural | Forklifts, graders, excavators, etc. | 18 | Special authorization |
Requirements for driving license endorsement
Before you begin your application, it’s crucial to check if you meet the NTSA’s basic requirements. The requirements vary depending on the vehicle class you’re targeting; however, generally, below are the common eligibility criteria that will be required from you.
- You must be over 18 years old or 24 years old and above if applying for a category concerning matatus and motor omnibuses.
- You must have a valid identification document (ID card or passport) for Kenyan nationals or an alien card in the case of a foreigner, or even an international driving permit.
- You must produce your current driving license.
- You must have passed the test of competence to drive the class you are upgrading to from any recognised driving school and be able to produce a certificate of competence.
- In case of any illness, you must declare what you are suffering from or any physical disability to avoid putting others in danger.
- If you have an eye problem, you must demonstrate that you can read, with glasses if necessary, and see another vehicle twenty-five metres away from you. If totally blind, you are not eligible.
How to apply for a driving class endorsement in Kenya
So long as you have met all the requirements put forward by the NTSA and those required from you based on the driving school you have enrolled in, the application step becomes straightforward. The entire process happens on the NTSA portal through the eCitizen platform, which means you can apply for your endorsement without necessarily visiting any NTSA offices in the country. Here is the complete step-by-step process:
- Visit the NTSA portal using https://serviceportal.ntsa.go.ke/ and sign in to your account.
- On your accounts dashboard, click on the Apply button beside the “Endorsement PDL”.
- Fill in your personal details carefully, double-check everything matches your ID document exactly. You’ll need to upload clear, scanned copies of your national ID (both sides) and your current driving license.
- Next, proceed to pay for the application so that you can get your new driving license. Here, you will be presented with many payment options, but the M-Pesa method is the easiest, especially for Kenyan citizens. The Fee is Ksh 550, including Ksh 500 for the endorsement fee plus Ksh 50 convenience charge.
- After successful payment, you must book an appointment with NTSA for the practical driving test at an NTSA Driving Test Unit (DTU) near you to complete your driving license endorsement. The system will show you available dates and times at your preferred testing center.
- On your appointed test day, you must ensure that you carry your payment invoice printout, original identification documents, current driving license, and certificate of competence from your driving school. Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time to complete any additional paperwork.
Note
The results of your driving license endorsement test are usually communicated on the same day of testing, and successful candidates will be informed when their class-endorsed driving license will be ready for collection. The entire process, from application to license collection, typically takes a maximum of five working days.
To check the status of your driving class endorsement application, simply log back into your NTSA TIMS account on the portal. Navigate to the dashboard, select the Driving License section, and view your submitted applications. This lets you track progress without calling or visiting offices.
What to Expect in the Endorsement Test
When you arrive for your endorsement test at the NTSA Testing Centre, you’ll be assessed on several key areas to ensure you’re ready for the new vehicle class. The test typically includes a theory component covering road rules, recognized road signals, road signs, and any authorized highway code relevant to the category. You’ll also undergo a practical driving test in which you demonstrate safe handling of the specific vehicle type.
Physical fitness is checked, too if you’ve declared any health issues, they may verify your ability to operate the vehicle without endangering others. For example, you need to read a vehicle plate from 25 meters away, with glasses if needed. Tips for passing: Review the highway code thoroughly, practice with the exact vehicle class at your driving school, and arrive well-rested. Most tests last 30-60 minutes, and passing earns you a certificate of competence on the spot if successful.
How much is a driving endorsement?
When you apply for your first driving license, you need to pay KSh 3,050 for the Smart Driving License application, which includes the one-time processing fee.
Getting a driving license endorsement is significantly cheaper than obtaining a new license, costing only KSh 550 in total. This amount includes KSh 500 for the actual endorsement application and KSh 50 for the eCitizen platform convenience fee.
However, remember that these are only the fees that NTSA or the government charges you for processing your new license endorsement. Before you can make the application for the endorsement on the eCitizen portal, you must first complete training at a recognized driving school, which comes with additional costs that vary depending on the driving school you choose and the packages they offer.
Training costs for endorsements typically range from as low as KSh 9,000 to as high as KSh 25,000, depending on several factors, including the vehicle class you are targeting, the driving school’s reputation and location, the duration of training required, and whether you need additional practice sessions.
NTSA Contacts
If you need help, reach out to NTSA Via:
| Location / Department | Address / Details | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Inquiries | – | info@ntsa.go.ke | – |
| Complaints | – | complaints@ntsa.go.ke | – |
| DL Queries | – | dlqueries@ntsa.go.ke | – |
| Integrity | – | integrity@ntsa.go.ke | – |
| Safaricom Call | – | – | 0709 932 000 |
| HQ – Upper Hill, Nairobi | 316 Upper Hill Chambers, 2nd Ngong Avenue, Upper Hill, Nairobi | – | – |
| Postal / Write | Nairobi | National Transport and Safety Authority, P.O Box 3602 – 00506 | – |
| Thika | Deputy County Commissioners Offices, opposite Barclays Bank, next to Kiambu Lands Office | info@ntsa.go.ke | 0709 932 000 |
| Nyeri | Regional Commissioners Complex, Block C, Third floor, opposite Nyeri Law Courts | – | – |
| Meru | Imenti CDF Building, Ground Floor | – | – |
| Embu | Motor Vehicle Inspection, along Kiritiri Road | – | – |
| Nakuru | Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre, along Nakuru Ravine Road, near Show Ground junction | – | – |
| Eldoret | Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre, along Police Line Road | – | – |
| Kericho | Kericho County Commissioner’s compound, NTSA MVI Centre | – | – |
| Kakamega | Postal, KRA Offices | – | – |
| Kisii | Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit, along Kisii – Kilgoris Road | – | – |
| Kisumu | Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, along Airport Road | – | – |
| Machakos | Machakos inspection Center, along People’s Park Road | – | – |
| Voi | Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre | – | – |
| Mombasa | Miritini MVI | mombasa.queries@ntsa.go.ke | 0709 932 000 |
| Garissa | KRA Offices, 1st Floor | – | – |
FAQs
How much is the driving endorsement?
It costs KSh 550 to apply for a driving license endorsement in Kenya, with KSh 500 for the endorsement application and KSh 50 for the eCitizen convenience charge.
What does class C cover?
It covers light commercial vehicles, including pickup trucks, delivery vans, and small trucks with gross vehicle weight between 3,500kg and 8,000kg. It’s for vehicles heavier than regular cars but not full commercial trucks.
What are the different driving license classes in Kenya?
Kenya’s NTSA offers classes from A to G, covering everything from motorcycles (A) to heavy trucks (C), buses (D), and special equipment (G). Each has subcategories, such as A2 for light motorcycles or C1 for light trucks. Age minimums start at 16 for mopeds and go up to 30 for hazardous materials transport.
How much do you pay for an endorsement at a driving school?
Driving schools typically charge a package fee for endorsement (for example, AA Kenya lists C1/C2 and D1/D2 endorsement training around KSh 12,780, excluding NTSA charges), so the total cost is the school fee plus the NTSA endorsement fee.
What is endorsement PDL in Kenya?
Endorsement on a PDL refers to updating your licence record so you are authorised to train and later be licensed in an additional class beyond your original category.
What is the pass mark for the NTSA driving test?
The NTSA driving test has a pass mark of about 70% overall, and some revised guidelines mention an 80% minimum in both theory and practical sections.
