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, please check out this article, where we have gone deeper into everything, including the fees and application process. 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.
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 calls 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.
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.
FAQs
How much is the NTSA endorsement fee?
This includes KSh 500 for the endorsement application plus KSh 50 for the eCitizen convenience charge.
Which class is B2 in driving?
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.
Can I drive using an interim driving license?
Yes, but with restrictions. An interim license allows you to drive only during daylight hours and only in the specific vehicle class stated. You must carry both the interim license and your learner’s permit.
Conclusion
We hope the guide has given you a clear picture of what a driving license endorsement is in Kenya and how you can proceed with the application process.. The process is almost always simple as long as you have met the requirements provided by NTSA, given that you know how to access the NTSA TIMS portal and make your application. Luckily for you, this guide has already covered all that. If you have any questions that need to be addressed by us, please let us know in the comments section, and we will guide you.
