Kenya Driving License

Driving Licenses

A driving license is issued as an authority to allow a person to drive a motor vehicle of any class on a road. No person shall be allowed to drive a motor vehicle on road unless he is the holder of a valid driving license or a provisional license endorsed in respect of that class of vehicle. No person shall be entitled to more than one driving license, but a driving license may be endorsed to permit the holder to drive one or more classes of motor vehicle.

Driving licenses shall upon expiry be renewed on production and upon payment of the prescribed fee. The renewal period will either be valid for a period of twelve (12) months or three (3) years from the date of issue at the option of the holder.

NOTE:

No driving license or provisional license shall be granted to any person

  1. Under the age of sixteen years;
  2. Under the age of eighteen (18) years, except in respect of motor cycles; or
  3. Endorsed in respect of matatus and motor-omnibuses, unless he
    1. Is over the age of twenty four (24) years; and
    2. Has for not less than four (4) years held a license endorsed in respect of motor-cars or commercial vehicles.

Any person driving a motor vehicle on a road shall carry his driving license or provisional license, and on being so required by a police officer, produce it for examination.

CONDITIONS FOR GRANTING OF DRIVING LICENSE

A licensing officer shall not grant an applicant a driving license endorsed in respect of any class of motor vehicle unless the applicant –

  1. satisfies the licensing officer that
    1. He has passed a test of competence to drive that class of motor vehicle and that he holds a certificate of competence
    2. Is the holder of a valid driving license for that class of motor vehicle granted by a competent authority in a member country of the Commonwealth, or
    3. Is the holder of an international driving permit
  2. Makes a declaration as to whether or not he is suffering from any such disease or physical disability which would be likely to cause the driving by him of a motor vehicle to be a source of danger to the public
  3. Is able to read, with glasses if worn, a motor vehicle identification plate at a distance of twenty five (25) metres. A person who is totally blind or blind in one eye is not allowed to hold a driving license.

If it appears to a licensing officer that there is reason to believe that the applicant for any driving license is suffering from disease or physical disability likely to cause the driving by him of a motor vehicle, of the class or classes in respect of which the application for a license is made, to be a source of danger to the public, such application may be disapproved unless the applicant –

  1. Produces a certificate from a medical practitioner stating that in the opinion of such medical practitioner the applicant is physically fit to drive the class or classes of motor vehicle in question; and
  2. Undergoes and passes a driving test