Process of Transferring Vehicle on NTSA Portal and Charges Involved

More often than not, Kenyans opt to buy vehicles from their friends, families, and work colleagues instead of getting one from a showroom.

Many prefer this since it is an easy and cost-friendly process, because they can negotiate the price of a vehicle. In some cases, Kenyans are also gifted a used car by their family members and friends.

Notably, all these processes require one to undertake a vehicle transfer before they can be the legal owners of the vehicle.

Before undertaking a vehicle transfer, both the seller and the buyer have to be active on the e-Citizen's account. The seller is expected to initiate the process.

Seller’s Process

1. The seller needs to log into their e-Citizen account and select the NTSA service portal (New).
2. On the home page, select the specific vehicle you want to transfer.
3. Go to the Motor Vehicles Service tab and select vehicle transfer, then click apply.
4. Afterwards, the seller should upload the original logbook colour (PDF), then fill in the new owner's details.
5. Thereafter, submit to pay for the transfer of ownership.
6. Go to the home page, the notification tab, to accept the consent notification.

‍Buyer's Process

1. Log in to your e-Citizen account.
2. Select the NTSA service portal (New).
3. Go to the home page and click the notification tab to accept /decline the consent notification.
4. Fill in the required details and then click preview.
5. Scroll down and tick the declaration box, then click preview.
6. Finally, submit for approval.

‍Charges and Timelines 

The charges for transferring vehicles vary and depend on the engine capacity.

For vehicles whose engine capacity is 1000cc and below, the charges are Ksh 2,210.

For vehicles whose engine capacity ranges from 1001cc to 1200cc, the charges are Ksh 2,440, while those with an engine capacity ranging from 1201-1500cc, the charges are Ksh 2,615.

The cost for transferring a vehicle with an engine capacity of between 1501cc to 1700cc the cost is Ksh 2,960.

Costs for other vehicles are Ksh 3,245 for engine capacity of between 1701cc and 2000cc, while those with capacity of between 2001cc and 2500cc cost Ksh 4,395. Those with a capacity of between 2501cc and 3000cc cost Ksh5,505, while those that have 3001cc capacity and above cost Ksh6,465.

According to NTSA, the transfer of vehicles should take 3 working days.

‍Mistakes People Make During Vehicle Transfer 

According to NTSA, people make six major mistakes during the process, making them unsuccessful.

For instance, when sellers upload the logbook, they tend to upload those belonging to a different vehicle

Some also upload a copy, instead of a scan-coloured copy (PDF) of the original logbook.

Equally, NTSA notes that some buyers usually upload a defaced logbook or a logbook that is not visible. This makes it difficult for the authority to authenticate the vehicle’s details.

Some capture the wrong details of the new buyer.