A public service vehicle, commonly referred to as a PSV, is any vehicle used for public transportation. This includes matatus, buses, trucks, tuktuks, boda bodas, taxis, tour vehicles, institution vehicles and app-based transportation vehicles. To drive these vehicles in Kenya one needs a PSV license.
It’s the most common form of transport in Kenya and has made a significant impact on the country’s economy. As such, the government keenly regulates the industry through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to ensure smooth operation and delivery of services.
The NTSA was formed in 2012 to carry out a variety of functions, including issuing a PSV license. This is a document issued to drivers who offer transportation services to the public at a profit. Driving a PSV without a PSV license or operating as a conductor of a PSV without a license attracts a fine not exceeding Ksh 50,000, a prison sentence not exceeding 1 year or both according to the National Transport and Safety Authority Act.
To get a PSV license, you can either make a physical application or an online application through the NTSA website.
Qualifications for a PSV license
Anyone applying for a PSV license must meet the following requirements:
- Must be over 24 years old for drivers and 18 years old for conductors
- Must have over 4 years of driving experience for drivers
Documents required include:
- Valid driving license
- Valid identification document (ID card)
- Recent and clear passport photo
- Valid certificate of good conduct
- Form XVI for drivers or Form XVII for conductors.
- Receipt of Ksh 50
Physical application for a PSV license
For drivers
- Collect Form XVI from any cyber cafe, fill it and submit to Traffic Police Department in Upper Hill, Nairobi
- Pay Ksh 50 for certification. Obtain a receipt from the Traffic Police Department.
- Take the certified documents accompanied with the following documents to the Road Transport Department in Times Tower, Nairobi. These include copy of the applicant’s ID, driving license, certificate of good conduct receipt indicating payment for certification
- Pay Ksh625 to the Road Transport Department for processing of the PSV license
For conductors
- Collect Form XVII from any cyber cafe, fill it and submit to Traffic Police Department in Upper Hill, Nairobi
- Pay Ksh 50 for certification. Obtain a receipt from the Traffic Police Department.
- Take the certified documents accompanied with the following documents to the Road Transport Department in Times Tower, Nairobi. These documents include copy of the applicant’s ID, certificate of good conduct receipt indicating payment for certification
- Pay Ksh625 to the Road Transport Department for processing of the PSV license
Online application for a PSV license
- Visit the NTSA website and scroll down to Online Services then select the PSV Sacco/Company portal option
- To sign in, enter your email address or ID number and password. To sign up for an account, select Sign Up. Choose the account type ie Citizen, Resident, Diplomat, Foreigner. For citizens, enter your ID number, first name on the ID and year of birth. Enter your contract details, password and submit a photo.
- Log into the account
- Select approved licencing status and click on new application then choose the application type you want to make ie PSV Driver application, PSV Conductor Application, Institution Driver Application form, Taxi Driver Application form
- Fill out the details required in the form which include link to Sacco/ Institution/ Employer, Update license photo, Physical address, P.O.Box address, certificate of good conduct, applicant’s driving license number, License collection point
- Click next to go to the payment section. Select the preferred payment method ie M-pesa/ Debit/ Credit / Prepaid card, Airtel Money, Mobikash, E- agent, Cash
- Proceed to pay the Ksh 625 for processing the application then click the confirm payment icon to approve the transaction
- Click submit to complete the process
- Go back to the dashboard and click my applications to review your application
- Print the application and take it to the collection point to get your PSV license
- It takes approximately 5 working days to obtain your PSV license after submitting your application