NTSA Issues Guidelines for Application of Reflective Number Plates & Motor Vehicle Inspections

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued guidelines on the process of application for reflective number plate applications and motor vehicle inspections following the full automation of the processes.

As detailed by the authority on Thursday, September 4, any paperwork related to the processes has been eliminated, with application and processing being done solely on the eCitizen platform to enhance efficiencies.

Application Process of Reflective Number Plates

NTSA detailed that the application and processing will now involve 3 steps, with vehicle owners only required to submit two documents - a coloured copy of the logbook and pictures of the number plates.

Additionally, in each step of the application, motorists will receive notifications on their phone via SMS.

The cost for reflective plates is Ksh3050

"The application status can be tracked via the portal. The applications are verified and processed within 7 working days," read the notice in part.

Motor Vehicle Inspection Process

Similar to the application of reflective number plates, NTSA  stated that the process had become paperless, with the authority removing the use of Vehicle Inspection check forms.

Consequently, NTSA stated that it had issued digital tablets to inspectors for the exercise. Motor vehicle inspections are now projected to take less than 20 minutes.

"Motor vehicle inspection booking and payment processes are through the E-Citizen platform. The application fee of Ksh1050 is paid via E-Citizen upon generation of a system invoice," read the notice in part.

"The steps involved in the internal processes have been reduced to 9 from the previous 25. To promote transparency, picture attachments of vehicles presented are uploaded into the system by the inspector as part of the validation process."

New parameters, including conformance with the Passenger Vehicle Body Construction (KS372:2019) and Maximum Road Speed Limiters for Motor Vehicles ( KS 2295:2018) have been incorporated in the process to ensure safety compliance.

"Upon completion of the Inspection process, results are automatically updated on the NTSA Mobile App for verification by law enforcement," NTSA stated.

"For convenience, the inspection report is easily accessible and downloadable from the motor vehicle owner's account."

For vehicles that fail during the tests, the owners have 13 days to correct the defects observed and present the vehicle for re-inspection at no additional costs.

"Operating a vehicle without a valid inspection certificate is an offense, and law enforcement personnel are advised to take necessary action," NTSA warned.