The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced that it will begin conducting annual inspections of motor vehicles more than 4 years old starting July 1, 2026.
In a notice on Friday, June 26, the Authority said the inspections are part of its mandate under the NTSA Act, 2012, which gives it responsibility for the registration, licensing, inspection, and certification of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
NTSA stated that in accordance with Section 55 of the Traffic Act (Cap 403), all motor vehicle owners whose vehicles are more than four years old as of the recorded date of manufacture will be required to book annual inspections through the NTSA service portal on the eCitizen platform.
“In implementation of Section 55 of the Traffic Act(Cap 403), the Authority shall conduct inspection of motor vehicles within NTSA centers from 1st July 2026. All motor vehicle owners with vehicles more than four years from the recorded date of manufacture are therefore expected to book an annual inspection through the NTSA service portal accessible via the eCitizen platform,” stated NTSA.
Annual Inspections for Vehicles Over Four Years Old
However, NTSA clarified that the enforcement of mandatory inspections for private motor vehicles will be communicated to the public in due course, meaning the inspection programme will begin before enforcement measures are announced.
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The authority also noted that it has not licensed any private entity to offer motor vehicle inspection services and urged motorists to seek inspections only through official NTSA channels.
The Authority said it will continue inspecting school transport vehicles at NTSA inspection centres.
School transport service operators and school management have been directed to ensure that all vehicles transporting learners are roadworthy and display valid inspection stickers. Law enforcement officers will verify the authenticity of the inspection stickers using the free NTSA Mobile App.
NTSA further stated that enforcement of Rule 13, which requires reflectorized red stop mechanical signal arms, and Rule 14, which requires telematic systems under the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026, will be communicated to the public at a later date.
Commercial Vehicles to Continue Inspections
The Authority also announced that inspections for commercial service vehicles will continue at NTSA inspection centres.
Owners of commercial service vehicles have been instructed to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and have valid inspection stickers. Police officers will verify the stickers using the NTSA Mobile App.
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NTSA added that the implementation of provisions requiring telematic systems and underride protection devices under Regulation 9 of the NTSA (Operations of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2026, will also be communicated in due course.
The Authority said it has a zero-tolerance policy on bribery and corruption, warning members of the public against dealing with unauthorized individuals who claim to fast-track or influence the provision of services.
It urged anyone approached through unofficial channels to report the matter to the nearest NTSA office, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), or through its official integrity reporting channels.
New NTSA Inspection Fees and Rules Set to Take Effect for All Motorists
In addition to the updated inspection rules, NTSA has introduced a revised fee system that applies to all vehicle categories. Motorists will now be required to pay when making inspection bookings.
Vehicle owners with engine capacities below 3,000cc will be charged a booking fee of Ksh1,000 payable to NTSA, along with an inspection fee that can go up to Ksh1,000, depending on the inspection centre.
For motorcycles and three-wheelers, the cost will be lower, with a booking fee of Ksh200 and an inspection charge capped at Ksh300, bringing the total to Ksh500.
The new regulations also permit privately run vehicle testing centres to operate, meaning inspections can be carried out both at government facilities and approved private centres.
Vehicles that meet the required standards will be issued with both an inspection certificate and a sticker, which must be visibly displayed on the vehicle.
If a vehicle does not pass the inspection, the owner will receive a report outlining the faults that must be corrected before the vehicle can undergo another inspection.
Under these regulations, driving a vehicle on public roads without a valid inspection sticker is prohibited.
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