If you just arrived in Kenya as an expat, you have exactly 3 months to sort out your driving paperwork before your foreign or international driving license becomes invalid on Kenyan roads.
After that window closes, you must hold a valid Kenyan driving license to drive legally. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) manages this process entirely online, making it straightforward—if you know what to prepare.
This guide covers everyone who qualifies, what documents you need, what you pay, and exactly how to complete the conversion without wasting a trip to NTSA.
Who Can Convert a Foreign Driving License to a Kenyan License
Not every foreigner qualifies for this conversion. NTSA currently recognizes three categories of applicants, and your category determines which documents you submit and what you pay.
| Category | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|
| Alien Card Holders | Foreign nationals living and working in Kenya on a work permit or dependent pass |
| Diplomatic Card Holders | Embassy staff and diplomats accredited to Kenya |
| Technical Staff — Category G (Gratis) | Volunteers and service workers such as missionaries and Red Cross staff |
Requirements and Fees by Category
(i) Alien Card Holders
Alien card holders must hold a driving license from a Commonwealth country or an international driving permit to qualify. Gather the following documents before you start your application:
- Valid alien ID card
- Work permit or dependent pass
- Driving license from a Commonwealth country or international driving permit
- Copy of your passport
- Driving license confirmation letter from the embassy or agency responsible for issuing licenses in your home country
Fees:
- Ksh 1,050 — conversion fee
- Ksh 3,050 — smart driving license fee
(ii) Diplomatic Card Holders
Diplomatic card holders enjoy a privilege exemption and do not pay conversion or license fees. You will need to download Form 7 (MFA) directly from the NTSA website before applying. Submit the following:
- Diplomatic card
- Approved Form 7 (MFA) — downloaded from the NTSA website
- Valid driving license
- Copy of your passport
- Recent passport photo
Fees: Diplomatic privilege (no charge)
(iii) Technical Staff — Category G (Gratis) Class
This category covers people who provide voluntary services in Kenya, including missionaries, Red Cross workers, and similar voluntary service personnel. Immigration grants them a formal letter of exemption. You need only three documents:
- Copy of your passport
- Letter of exemption from the immigration department
- Valid driving license from any country
Fees: Ksh 1,000 — paid directly through the bank
Step-by-Step Procedure to Convert Your Foreign Driving License to a Kenyan License
NTSA processes all foreign driving license conversions online through the eCitizen platform. Follow these steps in order:
- Visit the NTSA website at www.ntsa.go.ke
- Go to the Online Services menu on the homepage
- Click on Driver Testing and Licensing
- Sign in using your eCitizen credentials (create an account first if you do not have one)
- Click on Foreign Driving License Conversion
- Upload all required documents for your category — alien card holder, diplomatic card holder, or technical staff
- Make payment for the conversion fee as applicable to your category
- Submit your application and wait for NTSA to review and approve it—they will send you an SMS notification once they process your application
- Log back into your eCitizen account after you receive approval
- Apply for a smart driving license from your dashboard
- Make payment for the smart driving license (Ksh 3,050 for alien card holders)
- Visit your preferred NTSA centre or Huduma Centre for biometric enrolment to complete the process
Key Things to Remember Before You Apply
- You can only drive on your foreign or international driving license for 3 months after arriving in Kenya
- Start your conversion application before that 3-month window expires to avoid driving illegally
- Diplomatic cardholders must download Form 7 (MFA) from the NTSA website before they begin—you cannot proceed without it
- Technical staff must obtain their letter of exemption from immigration first, as NTSA will not accept your application without it
- Keep digital copies of all your documents ready before you start the online application to avoid losing progress mid-upload
The NTSA process is fully digital, so you complete most steps from your phone or computer. The only in-person visit you must make is to an NTSA or Huduma Centre for biometrics at the final stage.
