How to Renew a Driving License in Kenya

Renewing a driving license in Kenya is a straightforward process managed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). The renewal process has been fully digitized through the e-Citizen and Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) platforms, making it more efficient and accessible. Whether renewing a one-year or three-year driving license or upgrading to the new smart driving license, motorists must follow specific steps to ensure they remain compliant with traffic regulations. Here is how to renew a driving license.

Eligibility and Requirements

Before renewing a driving license, a motorist must meet the basic requirements set by NTSA. The applicant must have a valid Kenyan National ID or an alien ID for non-citizens residing in Kenya. They must also possess an existing driving license that is either expired or nearing its expiry date. Additionally, renewal applicants are required to clear any outstanding traffic offenses or penalties, as NTSA does not allow renewal for individuals with unresolved violations.

Online Renewal Process

The NTSA has made it mandatory for all driving license renewals to be conducted online through the e-Citizen portal or the TIMS platform. To begin the process, applicants must log in to their e-Citizen account using their national ID number and password. For new users, registration on e-Citizen is required before proceeding with the application. Once logged in, the applicant should navigate to the NTSA services section, where they will find the driving license renewal option.

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The system provides an option to choose between a one-year or a three-year renewal period. A one-year renewal costs Sh650, while a three-year renewal costs Sh1,450. There is also a convenience fee of Sh50 for processing payments. Payments can be made through mobile money services such as M-Pesa, debit cards, or bank transfers. Once the payment is confirmed, the system generates a renewal slip, which serves as a temporary license while waiting for the official document.

Smart Driving License Renewal

For motorists upgrading to the smart driving license, the process slightly differs from the standard renewal. The smart license is a digital card embedded with a chip that stores driver information, including traffic offenses and demerit points. Those applying for a smart license renewal must first register on the NTSA TIMS portal.

Once logged into TIMS, the applicant selects the “Apply for Smart Driving License” option. The system prompts the applicant to schedule an appointment at an NTSA service center for biometric data capture, which includes fingerprints, digital photographs, and signature registration. The cost for a smart driving license renewal is Sh3,050, payable through the provided NTSA payment options. After completing the biometric process, the applicant is issued with a temporary document while waiting for the smart license, which is usually ready within a few weeks.

Collection of Renewed License

After completing the application process, motorists receive a notification via SMS or email once their renewed driving license is ready for collection. The collection point is usually the NTSA offices or Huduma Centre, depending on the location specified during the application. For those renewing the standard license, the renewal slip printed from the e-Citizen portal remains valid for use on the road until the official document is collected.

It is illegal to drive in Kenya with an expired license, and motorists found violating this rule face legal consequences. NTSA and the Kenya Traffic Police conduct regular checks to ensure compliance, and those caught without a valid license may be fined or prosecuted. To avoid penalties, drivers should keep track of their license expiry date and initiate the renewal process early.