NTSA Announces Changes to Streamline Vehicle Inspection and Number Plate Applications

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Entrance/ HANDOUT

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced new measures aimed at streamlining motor vehicle inspection and reflective number plate application processes.

In a notice on Thursday, NTSA said the initiatives are designed to cut down bureaucracy, reduce waiting times, and enhance transparency in service delivery.

“For reflective number plates, that the entire application and payment process has been automated through the eCitizen platform,” NTSA said.

All previously required paperwork has been scrapped, with the process now reduced to just three steps.

Applicants are only required to upload a colored copy of the logbook and photos of the number plates. The application status can be tracked online, with SMS notifications sent at every stage.

Verified applications will be processed within seven working days.

On motor vehicle inspection, NTSA said booking and payment have also moved fully to the eCitizen platform. An inspection fee of KSh 1,050 is payable upon invoice generation.

The process has been digitized, eliminating the use of paper-based Vehicle Inspection Check forms.

Inspectors now rely on digital devices to aid the process, which is expected to reduce client waiting times to under 20 minutes per inspection.

To boost accountability, NTSA has introduced photo and video capture of inspected vehicles, which are then uploaded to the validation process.

Inspection results are automatically updated on the NTSA mobile app for law enforcement verification.

Additionally, new parameters such as compliance with passenger vehicle body construction standards and maximum road speed limits for certain motor vehicles have been integrated into the inspection process.

“Operating a vehicle without a valid inspection certificate is an offence, and owners may face penalties or additional costs,” NTSA cautioned.

The authority emphasized that the reforms are part of its commitment to improving service delivery and ensuring safer roads in Kenya.