How to Get Your New Generation Kenyan Car Number Plate

• The National Transport and Safety Authority noted the new plates have multiple anti-counterfeit security features and microchip technology
• With the new plates, police will also be able to obtain vital characteristics about motor vehicles, like the make and model of the car, its colour and engine number
• The monospaced letters and numerals on the smart plates enhance machine readability and make it difficult to alter them

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The government of Kenya introduced a new generation of number plates to fight duplication, forgery, and swapping.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen (l) listens as an NTSA official explains the process of acquiring new number plates. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen. Source: Twitter

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) directed motorists to replace their old plates with new ones.

What are the features of new-generation number plates?

The monospaced letters and numerals on the smart plates enhance machine readability and make it difficult to alter them.

According to NTSA, the plates have multiple anti-counterfeit security features and microchip technology that make them nearly impossible to counterfeit.

The new plates have a watermark, a hologram of the Big Five animals, and a uniquely imprinted national flag.

Additionally, they have distinct serial numbers that are connected to the vehicle's chassis number on both the front and rear plates.

With the new plates, police will also be able to obtain vital characteristics about motor vehicles, like the make and model of the car, its colour and engine number, its kind of transmission, its date and location of manufacturing, and its insurance information.

What are the steps to apply for new car plates?

Visit the NTSA website and;

• Step 1: Select vehicle registration and apply for a reflective plate.
• Step 2: Select vehicle and click on NEXT.
• Step 3: Select the reason, i.e. new generation plate.
• Step 4: Select a notification method, e.g. SMS, email or phone call.
• Step 5: Select the number plate and format (Square or oblong).
• Step 6: Upload the original logbook and plates (front and rear) in PDF format.
• Step 7: Select the collection centre and enter the ID number of the person to collect it.
• Step 8: Make payments of KSh 3,050.
• Step 9: Wait for collection notification.

You will get a message to pick up your plates at the centre of your choice once they are ready. \

What was NTSA's appeal to Kenyans?

Earlier, NTSA issued a public appeal for clients to collect documents promptly from its centres.

The agency revealed that applicants had not retrieved thousands of documents, including number plates, smart DLs, and logbooks.

The public notice underscored the urgency for clients who submitted service applications before February 21, 2024, to collect their documents.

How to renew a smart driving license online in Kenya

The smart driving licence replaced the traditional paper-based licence and the red booklet.

Therefore, if you have the red booklet or your smart driving license has expired, you must renew your NTSA driving license.

You can renew your smart driving licence online in Kenya in a few steps. Here is the procedure to follow:

• Visit the NTSA website.
• Click on the online services menu.
• Select driver testing and licencing.
• Sign in using your eCitizen login details. Enter the codes to verify your identity.
• Click on Driving Licence RenewSelect Smart DL (three years).
• Enter the required information. Click on review.
• Make the payment of KSh 3,050. You can download your receipt after paying the required amount.
• Customised plates cost KSh 1,000,000 or more.