What You Need to Know About Green KD Plates After Purchasing Your New Car in Kenya

If you have just bought a new car in Kenya and need to drive it home from a showroom or the port of Mombasa, chances are you will be given temporary green Kenya Dealer (KD) plates.

While many motorists use these plates, few understand the risks and legal responsibilities that come with them. 

Many local car dealers often rent out KD Plates to new car buyers for a fee.

Along with the plate, a movement pass is issued that includes details of the driver(s). Should any liability arise, the plate holder is responsible for lodging the claim, as it’s assumed the vehicle belongs to them.

Here’s what you need to know before hitting the road.

1. What Are Green KD Plates?

Green KD plates stand for Kenya Dealers. They are temporary plates issued by the NTSA (National Transport and Safety Authority) to licensed motor vehicle dealers.

Their sole purpose is to allow vehicles to be driven from showrooms to customers or for short test drives. They are not meant for personal leisure use.

2. Insurance Is Mandatory

Before attaching a KD plate to your new car, confirm that the plate is insured separately. Many showroom dealers or brokers purchase the cheapest available covers, which may not provide reliable protection.

Always verify that the insurance is valid and from a reputable company; otherwise, you risk receiving no compensation in the event of theft, fire, or accident.

3. Driver Must Be Licensed

Only a driver with a valid driving licence is allowed to drive a car with KD plates.

Also Read: How to Apply for PSV Badge and License on NTSA TIMS

4. Restricted Movement

A KD plate must be used strictly within the recorded transfer route. For example, if the showroom records that you are moving the car from Kiambu Road to Thika, it must not be found in Ngong. These plates are not for joyrides or picnics.

5. Beware of Brokers

Today, many KD plates are in the hands of brokers who rent them out on a daily basis. Some of these plates carry fake or invalid insurance.

If your car gets stolen, catches fire, or is involved in an accident, and the KD Plate’s insurance isn’t valid, you could be left without coverage.

6. No Passengers Allowed

Vehicles on KD plates must not carry passengers. Carrying friends or family exposes you to risks, and insurance typically does not cover them in the event of an accident.

7. Switch to Your Number Plates Quickly

NTSA typically processes permanent plates within a week. Don’t keep using KD plates for a month—replace them as soon as your official number plates are ready.

Also Read: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Renew a Driving License Online

Legal Uses of KD Plates

According to the Traffic Act, Cap 403 KD plates may only be used under specific circumstances, ensuring that they are not misused for regular public transportation.  The authorized uses of KD plates include:

1. Inspection, examination, or test: Vehicles may use the KD plates when proceeding to or returning from any inspection, examination, or test. This ensures that vehicles undergoing mandatory checks can be moved within the framework of the law.
2. Transporting vehicles for shipment: The plates are permitted for use when vehicles are being moved from a dealer’s premises to a railway station or wharf for shipment, or from a train or ship to the dealer’s premises.
3. Post-construction tests: Dealers may use the plates for vehicles that are undergoing tests or trials during or after completion, construction, assembly, or repair. This is particularly relevant for vehicles that are still in the testing phase.
4. Test drives for potential buyers: Dealers can also use the plates for test or trial runs by or on behalf of an intending purchaser, or for transporting the vehicle to the purchaser’s intended storage location.
5. Weight measurement and registration: KD plates can be used when vehicles are taken to a public weighbridge to determine their weight, or when the vehicle is being registered.
6. Movement between dealers or manufacturers: The plates are valid for transporting vehicles from one dealer’s premises to another dealer, manufacturer, or purchaser.
7. Towing broken down vehicles: A dealer may use the KD plates to tow a vehicle that has broken down, transporting it to a repair or storage facility.
8. Bodywork, painting, and repairs: The plates can be used for vehicles being taken to workshops for body fitting, painting, or repairs.
9. Exhibitions: Finally, vehicles may be moved to or from exhibitions of motor vehicles using the KD plates.

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