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Categories of Driving Licences in Kenya: All You Need to Know

  • BY Norah Waceke
  • August 13, 2025
Driving Licence in Kenya

Driving in Kenya requires a valid driving licence tailored to the type of vehicle you intend to operate. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) regulates driving licences in Kenya, ensuring drivers meet specific requirements for safety and competence. With diverse vehicle types on Kenyan roads—from mopeds in bustling Nairobi to heavy trucks on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway—understanding the categories of driving licences is essential for compliance and road safety. This comprehensive guide explores the various driving licence categories in Kenya, their requirements, and what vehicles each category permits, based on the latest NTSA Service Guide 2025.

Why Understanding Driving Licence Categories Matters

Kenya’s road network, one of the busiest in East Africa, supports a wide range of vehicles, from motorcycles to articulated buses. Each vehicle type demands specific skills, experience, and legal authorization. Holding the correct driving licence category ensures you’re legally permitted to drive your vehicle, avoid penalties, and contribute to safer roads. Whether you’re a boda boda rider in Kisumu, a matatu driver in Mombasa, or a truck operator transporting goods to Eldoret, this guide will help you navigate Kenya’s driving licence system.

Overview of Driving Licence Categories in Kenya

The NTSA categorizes driving licences based on vehicle type, weight, passenger capacity, and specialized use. Below is a detailed breakdown of each category, including the vehicles they cover, eligibility requirements, and additional categories a licence holder can operate.

Category A: Motorcycles and Three-Wheelers

Category A licences are designed for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, popular in Kenya for personal transport, courier services, and boda boda operations.

  • Category AM (Moped)
    • Vehicles Covered: Motorcycles with an engine capacity not exceeding 50cc.
    • Description: Enables riders to operate lightweight mopeds, often used for short commutes in urban areas like Nairobi and Nakuru.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: None.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 16 years.
      • No passengers allowed.
    • Use Case: Ideal for young riders or beginners navigating light traffic in towns like Thika or Nyeri.
  • Category A1 (Light Motorcycle)
    • Vehicles Covered: Motorcycles with an engine capacity above 50cc.
    • Description: Permits operation of standard motorcycles used for personal transport or light courier services.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: None.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 18 years.
    • Use Case: Common for urban commuters needing a faster alternative to mopeds.
  • Category A2 (Motorcycle Taxi, Couriers, and Three-Wheelers)
    • Vehicles Covered: Motorcycles above 50cc designed to carry passengers or goods, including three-wheeled tuk-tuks.
    • Description: Allows operation of motorcycle taxis (boda bodas) and courier bikes, prevalent in cities like Kisumu and rural areas.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: AM and A1.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 18 years.
    • Use Case: Essential for boda boda operators and delivery services across Kenya.
  • Category A3 (Three-Wheeled Motorcycles)
    • Vehicles Covered: Three-wheeled motorcycles carrying up to three passengers.
    • Description: Designed for tuk-tuks used in public transport or small-scale goods delivery.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: AM, A1, and A2.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 22 years.
    • Use Case: Popular in coastal towns like Mombasa for short-distance passenger transport.

Category B: Light Vehicles

Category B licences cater to light passenger vehicles, including personal cars and taxicabs, widely used in Kenya’s urban and rural settings.

  • Category B1 (Light Vehicle Automatic)
    • Vehicles Covered: Light passenger vehicles up to 3,500kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) with automatic transmission and a light trailer (up to 750kg), carrying up to seven passengers.
    • Description: Permits driving automatic cars, common in cities like Nairobi for personal use or ride-hailing services like Bolt and Uber.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: None.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 18 years.
    • Use Case: Ideal for new drivers or those preferring automatic vehicles.
  • Category B2 (Light Vehicle Manual or Automatic)
    • Vehicles Covered: Light passenger vehicles up to 3,500kg GVW with manual or automatic transmission and a light trailer (up to 750kg), carrying up to seven passengers.
    • Description: Covers both manual and automatic cars, offering flexibility for drivers.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 18 years.
    • Use Case: Common for family cars and small business vehicles.
  • Category B3 (Professional Taxicab)
    • Vehicles Covered: Taxicabs with a GVW up to 3,500kg, with a light trailer (up to 750kg), carrying up to seven passengers.
    • Description: Designed for professional taxi drivers operating in cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1 and B2.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 21 years.
      • At least four years of driving experience.
    • Use Case: Essential for licensed taxi operators in Kenya’s ride-hailing industry.

Category C: Trucks and Heavy Goods Vehicles

Category C licences are for truck drivers transporting goods across Kenya’s highways, such as the Nairobi-Mombasa corridor.

  • Category C1 (Light Truck)
    • Vehicles Covered: Light trucks with a GVW between 3,500kg and 7,500kg, with a light trailer (up to 750kg).
    • Description: Permits operation of light trucks used for local deliveries in towns like Eldoret and Nakuru.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1 and B2.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 21 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • At least two years of experience with a Category B2 licence.
    • Use Case: Common for small-scale logistics and distribution.
  • Category C (Medium Truck)
    • Vehicles Covered: Medium trucks with a GVW exceeding 7,500kg, with a light trailer (up to 750kg).
    • Description: Allows operation of medium trucks for regional transport.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1, B2, and C1.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 24 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • Two years of experience driving Category C1 vehicles.
    • Use Case: Used for transporting goods between cities like Kisumu and Nairobi.
  • Category CE (Heavy Truck with Trailer)
    • Vehicles Covered: Heavy trucks with a GVW exceeding 7,500kg, with a heavy trailer or semi-trailer.
    • Description: Permits driving articulated vehicles for long-haul transport.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1, B2, C1, and C.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 28 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • Four years of experience driving Category C vehicles.
    • Use Case: Critical for cross-border trade and logistics.
  • Category CD (Heavy Goods Vehicle for Hazardous Materials)
    • Vehicles Covered: Heavy trucks with a GVW exceeding 7,500kg, with a heavy trailer or semi-trailer, for hazardous materials.
    • Description: Allows operation of vehicles carrying dangerous goods, such as fuel or chemicals.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1, B2, C1, C, and CE.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 30 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • Two years of experience driving Category CE vehicles.
    • Use Case: Specialized for industries like petroleum transport.

Category D: Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs)

Category D licences cover vehicles used for public transport, such as matatus and buses, integral to Kenya’s transport system.

  • Category D1 (Van)
    • Vehicles Covered: Vans carrying up to 14 passengers.
    • Description: Permits operation of small PSVs, such as matatus in urban areas.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1 and B2.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 22 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • Four years of driving experience.
    • Use Case: Common for short routes in towns like Thika and Nyeri.
  • Category D2 (Minibus)
    • Vehicles Covered: Buses carrying 14–32 passengers.
    • Description: Allows operation of minibuses, popular for intercity travel.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1, B2, and D1.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 25 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • Three years of experience driving Category D1 vehicles.
    • Use Case: Used for routes like Nairobi to Nakuru.
  • Category D3 (Large Bus)
    • Vehicles Covered: Buses carrying 33 or more passengers.
    • Description: Permits operation of large buses for long-distance travel.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1, B2, D1, and D2.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 30 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • Three years of experience driving Category D2 vehicles.
      • Mandatory training and retesting for Category D3.
    • Use Case: Essential for major bus companies operating across Kenya.
  • Category D4 (Articulated Bus)
    • Vehicles Covered: Articulated buses.
    • Description: Allows operation of large, articulated buses for high-capacity routes.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: B1, B2, D1, D2, and D3.
    • Requirements:
      • Minimum age: 30 years.
      • Maximum age: 65 years.
      • Three years of experience driving Category D3 vehicles.
    • Use Case: Rare but used in high-demand urban routes.
  • Category DE
    • Vehicles Covered: Category D vehicles coupled with a trailer exceeding 750kg.
    • Description: Permits operation of passenger vehicles with heavy trailers.
    • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: None.
    • Requirements:
      • Varies based on specific vehicle type.
    • Use Case: Specialized for unique transport needs.

Category E: Special Professional Driving Licence

  • Vehicles Covered: Any vehicle under Categories C1, C, CE, D, D1, D2, D3, licensed as EC1, EC, ECE, ED, ED1, ED2, and ECDE3.
  • Description: A professional licence for drivers operating multiple vehicle types.
  • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: Varies based on endorsement.
  • Requirements:
    • Minimum age: 21 years.
    • Maximum age: 65 years.
    • Three months of driving practice with relevant vehicle categories.
    • Endorsements for specific classes (e.g., ED2 for D1 and D, ECE for C and C1).
  • Use Case: For professional drivers with diverse operational needs.

Category F: Persons with Disability (PWD)

  • Vehicles Covered: Vehicles adapted for persons with disabilities, as per testing.
  • Description: Allows PWDs to drive vehicles suited to their specific needs.
  • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: None.
  • Requirements:
    • Minimum age: 18 years.
    • Valid medical certificate, assessment report, and disability certificate.
    • Requirements align with other abled-driver categories.
  • Use Case: Ensures inclusive access to driving for PWDs in Kenya.

Category G: Industrial, Construction, and Agricultural Equipment

  • Vehicles Covered: Forklifts, motor graders, shovels, excavators, rollers, and other specialized equipment.
  • Description: Permits operation of heavy machinery used in construction and agriculture.
  • Other Categories Holder Can Operate: None.
  • Requirements:
    • Endorsement added to the driving licence.
  • Use Case: Vital for operators in Kenya’s construction and agricultural sectors, such as in large-scale projects in Naivasha or Mombasa.

How to Obtain a Driving Licence in Kenya

To acquire a driving licence, follow these steps:

  1. Enroll in a Registered Driving School: Complete training at an NTSA-approved driving school, such as those in Nairobi or Mombasa.
  2. Pass the Theory Test: Study the Kenyan Highway Code and pass the NTSA theory exam.
  3. Complete Practical Training: Gain hands-on experience with the vehicle type for your desired category.
  4. Pass the Driving Test: Schedule and pass the NTSA practical driving test.
  5. Apply via NTSA Portal: Submit your application through the NTSA eCitizen portal, including required documents like ID, medical certificates (for PWD), and proof of experience.
  6. Pay Fees: Fees vary by category, typically ranging from KSh 2,000 to KSh 5,000.
  7. Collect Your Licence: Once approved, collect your smart driving licence from an NTSA office or Huduma Centre.

Key Considerations for Kenyan Drivers

  • Renewal: Driving licences must be renewed every three years or as specified by NTSA.
  • Upgrading Categories: To upgrade (e.g., from B2 to C1), you must meet experience and age requirements and pass additional tests.
  • Penalties for Non-Compliance: Driving without a valid licence or operating a vehicle outside your category can result in fines up to KSh 7,000 or imprisonment.
  • Road Safety: Proper licensing reduces accidents, a critical issue on Kenya’s roads, with over 4,000 fatalities reported annually by NTSA.

Understanding the categories of driving licences in Kenya is crucial for legal and safe driving. From Category AM for mopeds to Category G for heavy machinery, each licence serves a specific purpose, ensuring drivers are qualified for their vehicles. Whether you’re navigating Nairobi’s busy streets or transporting goods to Malaba, holding the right licence enhances road safety and compliance. Visit the NTSA eCitizen portal or a local Huduma Centre to start your journey toward obtaining or upgrading your driving licence today.