NTSA Motor Vehicle Inspection Booking Kenya 2026 — How to Book Online via eCitizen
Every vehicle on Kenyan roads — saloons, pickups, matatus, tuk tuks, lorries — must go through a mandatory motor vehicle inspection. And since 2022, you cannot walk into any inspection center without booking first. Everything is online, through the NTSA eCitizen portal, and if you try to skip that step, you will be turned away at the gate.
The problem is that the NTSA TIMS inspection booking process has enough steps, payment requirements and document downloads that a lot of vehicle owners either book the wrong inspection type, miss the slot, or end up losing money because they paid but never completed the booking. This guide walks you through the entire process correctly, from logging into eCitizen all the way to what to carry on inspection day.
And if you would rather have someone handle the whole NTSA inspection booking for you — we do that too, 100% online, from anywhere in Kenya, for Ksh 250.
Traffic police actively check inspection status during roadblocks. An expired or missing inspection can lead to vehicle impoundment and fines. You cannot renew your insurance or transfer your logbook without a valid inspection certificate either. We book your NTSA inspection in minutes for Ksh 250 →
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Right inspection type. Right center. Right date. Done.
Send us your details on WhatsApp. We log in, book your slot, download your documents, and send them straight back to you. You just show up on inspection day.
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What Is Motor Vehicle Inspection in Kenya?
Motor vehicle inspection in Kenya is a mandatory safety and roadworthiness check carried out by NTSA — the National Transport and Safety Authority. Every vehicle registered in Kenya must undergo this inspection to confirm it meets the minimum safety, environmental, and legal standards required to be on a public road.
The inspection is not just a formality. NTSA officers physically examine the vehicle — checking brakes, tyres, lights, emissions, chassis and more — and their findings are recorded on the national TIMS (Transport Integrated Management System) database. Your vehicle’s inspection status is visible to traffic police during roadblocks through the NTSA mobile app and national database.
Importantly, vehicle inspection in Kenya is now fully online. Since NTSA digitized the process, you must book your slot through the eCitizen NTSA portal and pay before arriving at any inspection center. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Who Needs to Book NTSA Inspection?
| Inspection Type | Who Needs It | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Vehicle Inspection | All private and commercial vehicles | Every year |
| PSV Inspection | Matatus, buses, taxis, tuk tuks, bodabodas for hire | Every 6 months |
| Change of Ownership Inspection | Any vehicle being transferred to a new owner | Before every transfer |
| Import Inspection | Vehicles brought into Kenya from outside | Once on arrival |
| Re-Inspection | Vehicles that failed a previous inspection | Within 13 days of failing |
| Police-Ordered Inspection | Any vehicle instructed by NTSA or traffic police | As ordered |
If you own a matatu, tuk tuk or any vehicle used for commercial passenger transport, note that PSV inspections happen twice a year — not once. Missing either window can cost you your PSV license.
NTSA Inspection Fee 2026 — How Much Does It Cost?
| Vehicle / Inspection Type | Official NTSA Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Motor Vehicle | Ksh 1,050 | Annual inspection |
| PSV Vehicle | Ksh 1,050 | Per inspection (twice yearly) |
| Re-Inspection (within 13 days) | FREE | Only failed items re-checked |
| Re-Inspection (after 13 days) | Ksh 1,050 | Full fee applies again |
Payment is made directly through the eCitizen portal via M-Pesa. The system will not let you proceed to book a slot until payment is confirmed. Keep your M-Pesa transaction message — you will need the reference number if any issue arises.
What You Need Before Booking
Requirements for NTSA Inspection Booking
- An active eCitizen account — if you do not have one, you must create it first at ecitizen.go.ke
- Your vehicle registration number — the number plate exactly as registered
- Your vehicle must be linked to your eCitizen account via NTSA TIMS
- A mobile phone with M-Pesa for payment of Ksh 1,050
- Access to a printer — you must print the booking slip and payment receipt
- The vehicle logbook (original or a certified copy)
One thing that catches many people: your vehicle must already be linked to your eCitizen account before you can book an inspection. If you recently bought the vehicle or have not updated ownership on TIMS, the system will not show it in your vehicle list. Sort the TIMS account and ownership transfer first.
How to Book NTSA Motor Vehicle Inspection Online — Step by Step
This is the full process on the eCitizen NTSA portal. Follow each step carefully — skipping a step or clicking the wrong option will send you back to the beginning.
Go to the NTSA eCitizen portal directly. Use your registered ID number and password. If you get a “login failed” message, try the Forgot Password option — an OTP will be sent to your registered phone number. Do not create a new account if you already have one; duplicate accounts cause serious problems on NTSA TIMS.
Once you are logged in to your eCitizen dashboard, look for the NTSA service tile. Click on it and then select “New NTSA Portal.” This will redirect you to the full NTSA TIMS services dashboard where all vehicle-related services are managed.
Inside the NTSA dashboard, click on “Motor Vehicle” in the left side menu. Then click “View” and select “Motor Vehicle Services.” You will now see a list of all services available for your registered vehicles.
This step is where many people make expensive mistakes. You will be shown inspection type options — Annual Vehicle Inspection, PSV Inspection, Re-Inspection, Change of Ownership Inspection, and others. Select the one that applies to your situation. Then choose the vehicle registration number from your linked vehicles list.
The standard NTSA inspection fee is Ksh 1,050. On the payment page, you will get a prompt to pay via M-Pesa. Enter your phone number, confirm the STK push on your phone, and enter your M-Pesa PIN. Wait for the system to confirm payment before clicking anything else. Closing the page during payment is a common cause of lost money.
After successful payment, click “Book Now.” You will be shown a list of available NTSA inspection centers and available dates with open slots. Choose the inspection center closest to you and a date that works. Slots fill up fast at popular centers like Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru — book at least a week in advance where possible.
Go to your Application History on the dashboard. Download the inspection booking slip and payment receipt. Print both documents. The inspection center gate staff will ask to see these printed documents before allowing your vehicle in. A screenshot on your phone is not always accepted — printed copies are the safe option.
NTSA Inspection Centers in Kenya by County
NTSA has inspection centers spread across multiple counties. Book the one closest to where your vehicle is located — you can select the center on the eCitizen portal during booking.
For the full and current list of inspection centers and available dates, check the NTSA eCitizen portal at ntsa.ecitizen.go.ke during the booking step.
What to Carry to the Inspection Center on the Day
- Printed inspection booking slip — downloaded from Application History on eCitizen
- Printed M-Pesa payment receipt — from the same Application History section
- Vehicle logbook — original or certified copy
- The vehicle itself — clean inside and out, with all original parts intact
- Your National ID — some centers ask for it at the gate
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your booked time slot. If you arrive late and miss your slot, you may need to reschedule, and rescheduling is not always immediate. The inspection center is not obligated to hold your slot.
What NTSA Officers Check During Motor Vehicle Inspection
The physical inspection at the center is thorough. NTSA officers are looking for anything that makes the vehicle unsafe or non-compliant with Kenya Roads Act requirements. Here is what they examine:
| Area Checked | What They Look For |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Brake pad depth, brake fluid level, handbrake function, even braking |
| Steering | Steering play, power steering function, tie rods and joints |
| Tyres | Tread depth minimum 1.6mm, no cuts or bulges, matching sizes, spare tyre |
| Lights & Indicators | All headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators and hazards functional |
| Suspension | Shock absorbers, ball joints, wheel alignment |
| Emissions & Exhaust | Emission levels within legal limits, no excessive smoke, exhaust intact |
| Chassis & Body | Chassis number matches logbook, no unauthorized body modifications |
| Engine Number | Engine number matches logbook records on TIMS |
| Horn & Wipers | Functional horn, working windscreen wipers |
| Seat Belts | All seats with functioning seat belts, especially PSV vehicles |
The full inspection takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on how busy the center is. If you arrive with a vehicle that clearly has issues — bald tyres, missing lights, broken wipers — you will fail immediately. Fix obvious problems before booking to avoid paying twice.
If Your Vehicle Fails NTSA Inspection — Re-Inspection Rules
Failing inspection is not the end. NTSA has a structured re-inspection process that protects you from paying full fees again, as long as you act within the window.
Re-Inspection Rules — What You Need to Know
- You have 13 days from the date of failure to fix the flagged issues and return for re-inspection
- Re-inspection within 13 days is FREE — you do not pay Ksh 1,050 again
- Only the items that failed are re-checked — not the entire vehicle again
- If you miss the 13-day window, you must start the full process again and pay the full fee
- You must book the re-inspection online via eCitizen just like the original inspection — no walk-ins
- Re-inspection should be done at the same center where the vehicle originally failed
The inspection report you receive on the day will list exactly which items failed and what needs to be corrected. Take it to a reputable garage, fix those specific items, and return within the 13-day window.
Common Problems When Booking NTSA Inspection — And How to Fix Them
Your vehicle must be linked to your eCitizen account through NTSA TIMS before it appears for booking. If it does not show, you may need to first create or update your TIMS account and ensure the vehicle is registered under your ID. Recent logbook transfers that have not been processed on TIMS also cause this problem.
This is a common NTSA portal issue. Do not pay again. First check your Application History — sometimes the booking went through even if the page looked stuck. If nothing is there, wait 30 minutes and refresh. If still nothing, call NTSA on 0709 932 300 with your M-Pesa transaction reference and they can verify the payment and proceed the booking manually.
Popular centers — especially Upper Hill Nairobi and Mombasa — fill up quickly. Try booking at a less busy center in a nearby county. Alternatively, check back on the portal early in the morning when slots are sometimes released. If your inspection is urgent, contact us — we check multiple centers simultaneously and can find you an available slot faster.
This is usually a browser issue. Try a different browser — Google Chrome works best with the NTSA portal. Disable any popup blockers as the booking slip opens in a new window. If the document still does not download, take a screenshot of the booking confirmation page as a backup while you resolve it.
Contact NTSA on 0709 932 300 or visit your nearest NTSA regional office with the M-Pesa payment confirmation. Request a refund or transfer of payment to the correct inspection type. This process takes time, which is why selecting the right inspection type before paying is critical.
Use the Forgot Password option on the eCitizen login page. An OTP will be sent to your registered phone number. If you no longer have access to that phone number, you will need to visit an eCitizen Huduma Centre with your original ID to get the account recovered. We also offer eCitizen account recovery as a service.
Why People Use Our NTSA Inspection Booking Service
We handle the booking so you focus on your day
The NTSA portal has improved over the years but it still has moments — pages timing out after payment, slots disappearing before you confirm, downloading issues. Most people trying to book on a phone with mobile data run into at least one of these problems. When that happens and your inspection deadline is near, it is a very stressful experience.
When you use our service, you send us your details on WhatsApp, we navigate the portal on a stable connection with a laptop, complete the booking correctly, and send you the documents ready to print. You pay us Ksh 250. That is it. The official NTSA fee of Ksh 1,050 you pay yourself via M-Pesa directly on the portal — we never handle that money.
What to Send Us on WhatsApp to Book Your Inspection
- Your eCitizen account login details — ID number and password
- Your vehicle registration number (number plate)
- The inspection type you need — annual, PSV, change of ownership, re-inspection
- Your preferred inspection center and dates
- Your M-Pesa number to receive payment instructions for the official Ksh 1,050 NTSA fee
Your details are used solely to complete the NTSA inspection booking. We do not store or share your login information with any third party.
Book Your NTSA Motor Vehicle Inspection Now — Ksh 250
WhatsApp us your details. We book the slot, download your documents, and send everything back to you within the hour.
💬 WhatsApp Us NowIndependent online cyber service. Not affiliated with NTSA or the government. Official NTSA inspection fee of Ksh 1,050 is paid separately by the client directly on the eCitizen portal.
Related NTSA Guides
Frequently Asked Questions — NTSA Motor Vehicle Inspection Booking Kenya
How much does NTSA motor vehicle inspection cost in Kenya?
The standard NTSA motor vehicle inspection fee is Ksh 1,050. This applies to both private and commercial vehicles including PSV. Re-inspection within 13 days of failing is free. If you miss the 13-day window, the full Ksh 1,050 applies again.
Can I walk into an NTSA inspection center without booking online first?
No. NTSA does not allow walk-in inspections. All motor vehicle inspections in Kenya must be booked online through the eCitizen NTSA portal and paid for before arriving at the center. Arriving without a booking slip will result in being turned away at the gate.
How long does NTSA vehicle inspection take at the center?
The physical inspection process takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the center and how busy it is. Arriving early in the morning on a weekday typically means shorter wait times.
Can someone else take my vehicle for NTSA inspection on my behalf?
Yes. Another person can drive your vehicle to the inspection center on your behalf. They must carry the printed booking slip, the payment receipt, and the vehicle logbook. Some centers may also ask for identification of the person bringing the vehicle, so it is safer to carry a copy of the vehicle owner’s ID as well.
How do I know when my vehicle inspection is due?
Your previous inspection certificate shows the validity date. You can also check your vehicle’s inspection status on the NTSA mobile app or by logging into the eCitizen NTSA portal and viewing your vehicle’s details under Motor Vehicle Services. Police roadblocks also check this status in real time through the national TIMS database.
What happens if I miss my booked NTSA inspection slot?
If you miss your booked slot without rescheduling, your payment may be forfeited and you will need to book and pay again. If you know in advance you cannot make a slot, log into eCitizen and check if rescheduling is available before the date. Contact NTSA on 0709 932 300 if you face issues rescheduling.
Can I book NTSA inspection for a matatu or PSV vehicle the same way?
Yes, the booking process is the same via eCitizen. The only difference is that you must select PSV Inspection as the inspection type, not Annual Vehicle Inspection. PSV vehicles are required to inspect every 6 months, so the booking will come up twice yearly in your schedule.
My vehicle is registered in someone else’s name. Can I still book inspection?
The inspection must be booked from the eCitizen account of the registered owner of the vehicle. If the vehicle is in someone else’s name and they cannot book, you need to either complete a change of ownership transfer first or have the registered owner book it. We can assist with both scenarios.
Disclaimer: This is an independent online cyber service. We are not affiliated with NTSA, eCitizen, or any government body. We are Kenyans who assist with navigating government portals on your behalf for a small convenience fee. Motor vehicle inspection booking is free to do yourself at ntsa.ecitizen.go.ke. The official NTSA inspection fee of Ksh 1,050 is paid directly to NTSA — not to us. For official NTSA support, call 0709 932 300, email info@ntsa.go.ke, or call the main line +254 (020) 6632000. Visit ntsa.go.ke for more.
