Updated 26 October 2026
To get a provisional driving licence (PDL) in Kenya, enrol at an NTSA-licensed driving school, pass the school’s first yard training and internal check, then apply and pay on the NTSA portal through your eCitizen account. The Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licences) Rules, 2020 set the fee at KSh 600, make the PDL valid for three months, and let you renew it for another three months if you are not ready for the test.
The PDL is the learner’s permit. Without it, no driving school may take you onto a public road, and you cannot be booked for the NTSA driving test. This guide covers who qualifies, the exact order of steps, what the licence allows and forbids, and what comes after it.
In this guide
Provisional Driving Licence at a Glance
| Item | What the Rules say |
|---|---|
| Who issues it | National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) |
| Where you apply | NTSA service portal, signed in with eCitizen |
| Application form | Form 6 in the Rules (filled online) |
| Fee | KSh 600 to issue or renew |
| Validity | Three months, renewable for a further three months |
| Before you get it | Enrol at a licensed driving school and pass its yard test |
| Next step | Driving test (KSh 1,000), then an interim licence |
Who Can Apply
Anyone who wants to learn a category of vehicle and has reached the minimum age for it. For an ordinary car (B1 automatic or B2 manual) the minimum age is 18. A moped licence (AM) starts at 16, most motorcycle categories at 18, and taxi (B3) at 21. Truck and bus categories add years of experience on a lower class. Our guide to driving licence categories and minimum ages lists every class.
You also need:
- A national ID (or, for foreign residents, the alien or foreigner certificate number that eCitizen uses for non-citizens).
- An eCitizen account. If you do not have one, create an eCitizen account first.
- Enrolment at a driving school licensed by NTSA. The PDL application is tied to the school.
- A passport photo in the size eCitizen accepts. Our eCitizen passport photo resizer fixes the common upload errors.
Step by Step: How to Apply for a PDL
- Choose and join a licensed driving school. Compare fees and the category you want. For a worked example of what schools charge, see our page on Five Star Driving School fees.
- Do the first lessons in the yard. NTSA’s curriculum, attached to the Rules, says the school must test you on the first four units and give you at least four hours of practical training in a manoeuvring yard before it arranges your PDL. A learner who fails that check is not issued a PDL.
- Log in to eCitizen and open the NTSA service portal. NTSA’s eCitizen page says you can apply and pay for your PDL, book your driving test and download your interim licence online.
- Select the provisional driving licence application. Pick the vehicle category you are training for and the driving school you enrolled with.
- Pay the fee. The Rules set KSh 600. Pay by M-Pesa or card on the eCitizen checkout; the screen shows the final amount.
- Download and carry the PDL. You must have it with you every time you drive under instruction.
If eCitizen will not let you in, our guide to logging in to eCitizen covers password resets and one-time code problems.
What You May and May Not Do on a PDL
Rule 28 of the Rules sets six conditions that apply at all times while you are under instruction. You must:
- carry your provisional driving licence;
- have a driving instructor present;
- show an “L” plate that can be seen from at least 20 metres away, at the front and the rear;
- have a blood alcohol level of zero;
- not tow a trailer or another vehicle;
- not carry more than one passenger.
The passenger limit is aimed at schools too. Under rule 26, an instructor who allows more than one passenger (or any passenger in a vehicle not built for them) commits an offence and faces a fine of up to KSh 2,000 for each extra passenger. The learner must agree before even that one passenger rides along.
A PDL is not a licence to drive alone, to drive for hire, or to drive a category it was not endorsed for. A learner’s permit issued abroad also does not let you drive in Kenya: rule 40 says foreign learner and provisional permits are not valid here.
How Long It Lasts and How to Renew
The PDL is valid for three months. If you have not passed the test by then, the Rules allow a renewal for a further three months on payment of the same KSh 600 fee. Renew before you take the car out again, because driving under instruction on an expired PDL breaks the condition the school relies on to take you on the road.
From PDL to Full Licence
| Stage | What happens | Fee in the Rules |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Provisional licence | Lessons on public roads with an instructor | KSh 600 |
| 2. Internal school test | The school checks theory, practical skills, traffic rules and road safety before it endorses you | Set by the school |
| 3. NTSA driving test | The school applies on your behalf, with a medical certificate (Form 4) | KSh 1,000 |
| 4. Certificate of competence | Issued when you pass | Included |
| 5. Interim driving licence | Lets you drive the category; valid six months | Shown on eCitizen |
| 6. Driving licence | NTSA issues it within six months of the interim licence | KSh 3,000 for three years |
The NTSA test itself has four parts under rule 31: a theory test, a test on the Highway Code and traffic signs, a test on road safety principles, and a practical drive over at least two kilometres. The school provides a roadworthy vehicle of the right category.
Once you hold the licence, it is renewed every three years. Our guide to renewing a driving licence online explains the options, and you can follow progress with our page on checking your driving licence status.
Common Problems
- Driving school not in the list. Only NTSA-licensed schools appear. If yours is missing, ask the school for its NTSA licence details before you pay for lessons.
- Photo or document rejected. eCitizen has strict size limits; use our document upload compressor and photo tool.
- PDL expired before the test date. Renew it on the portal for another three months.
- Stopped by police while learning. Show the PDL, and make sure the instructor and L plates are present. If you get a fine, see our guide to paying NTSA instant fines.
Want to drive a matatu or a taxi for a living later? A professional licence and a PSV badge come with extra requirements; see PSV licence requirements. Planning to drive abroad once you qualify? Read our guide to the International Driving Permit. For driving jobs and other openings, browse JobinKenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a provisional driving licence in Kenya?
The Rules set KSh 600 to issue or renew it. eCitizen shows the final amount at checkout.
How long is a PDL valid?
Three months. It can be renewed once for another three months.
Can I apply for a PDL without a driving school?
No. The Rules require you to enrol at a licensed driving school and the application is linked to that school.
Can I drive alone with a provisional licence?
No. A driving instructor must be present, L plates must be displayed and you may carry at most one passenger.
What is the minimum age for a PDL for a car?
18 for categories B1 and B2. Mopeds (AM) start at 16.
Do I need a medical certificate for a PDL?
The Rules attach the medical certificate (Form 4) to the driving test and licence applications. Your school will tell you when to bring it.
Rules and fees checked against the Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licences) Rules, 2020 on Kenya Law and NTSA’s eCitizen pages on October 25, 2026. eCitizen shows the amount that applies on the day, including any convenience charge, before you pay.
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