As a motorist on Kenyan roads, it is common to see cars with foreign number plates. These plates may come from various countries, either within the East African Community or from other nations across Africa and beyond.
One might wonder whether the drivers of such vehicles require any special permits to drive their ‘foreign-plated’ cars freely in Kenya. The answer is yes, special permits and documentation are required to legally drive a vehicle with foreign number plates in Kenya.
In most cases, motorists driving cars with foreign plates include tourists on road trips passing through different countries, visitors into the country for healthcare, business or holidays and truck drivers. Other groups include diplomats and Kenyans living abroad visiting home for some time.
These regulations apply to both foreign nationals and Kenyan citizens living abroad who own or operate foreign-registered vehicles.
The National Transport and Safety Authority ( NTSA) manages road operations while the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) handles revenue from these vehicles. Both agencies require a few things for you to own and operate these vehicles.
So, where does it begin? Kenya is a member of both EAC and the Common Markets of East and Southern Africa (COMESA), allowing individuals of nations within both regional blocs to drive their vehicles in the country.
As such, to drive legally, you need to declare your car at the border and obtain a temporary importation permit, also known as Form C32. This document is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and allows you to bring in your car without paying importation taxes. It is valid for 14 days, but you can request an extension.
To access the form, you need documents such as the car’s logbook, a work or residency permit (if you are a Kenyan working or living abroad), and a letter of authorisation if you are not the owner of the vehicle.
To get an extension, you must provide valid reasons, with KRA conducting due diligence on the condition of the car.
In the case of foreigners outside the EAC/COMESA regions, one needs a specialised permit known as the ‘Carnet de Passage en Douane’ (CDP). The CDP is an international customs document which covers the temporary admission of motor vehicles into foreign countries.
Basically, it acts as a passport for one’s vehicle and guarantees that the vehicle will be returned to the home country. The permit is normally issued in one’s home country. To get this permit, one needs their passport, car’s logbook, and proof of residence in their home country.
Upon receiving Form C32 or CDP, one will need to obtain a foreign vehicle operation permit to legally drive the vehicle in Kenya. This permit is issued by the NTSA, with the cost depending on the size of the vehicle. The application is done through the eCitizen portal.
However, one can still obtain a free permit, albeit temporarily. A free temporary permit grants a seven-day temporary permit at entry points for vehicles crossing the border. Meanwhile, a free foreign permit grants a seven-day foreign permit for vehicles in transit to neighbouring countries.
Fees for the paid permits are as follows:
– Below 2000cc for 1 month: Ksh 2,570 ($20.00)
– Below 2000cc for 3 months: Ksh 6,425 ($50.00)
– Above 2000cc for 1 month: Ksh 5,140 ($40.00)
– Above 2000cc for 3 months: Ksh 12,850 ($100.00)
Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the vehicle being impounded among other penalties.
