To qualify as a Public Service driver in Kenya, you must have a PSV badge as required by law.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has made it easier for drivers to apply for this license and badge through the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) portal.
A PSV license is a document issued to drivers who offer transportation services to the public at a profit.
Driving a PSV without a PSV license or operating as a conductor of a PSV without a license attracts a fine not exceeding Ksh50,000, a prison sentence not exceeding 1 year, or both, according to the
Must have pre-conditions to have a PSV Badge and License:
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A valid driving license under the B3 category.
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Valid certificate of good conduct
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eCitizen payment fee
How to apply
Log in to a TIMS account. Drivers can access the platform through the NTSA website using their eCitizen details or ID number, phone number, and password. First-time users are required to register and activate their accounts before proceeding.
Once you are logged in, the driver navigates to the “Driving Licence” section and selects the “Apply for PSV Badge” option.
Once here, the system will prompt applicants to provide personal details such as their National ID, driving licence number, and recent passport photo.
Applicants must also upload supporting documents, including a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and a valid medical certificate.
Once all the documents are uploaded, the applicant then clicks on apply, and then makes the payments. Once the payment is validated, the PSV badge is immediately provided through a PDF, which will be available in the downloads.
The cost of applying for a PSV badge and license varies depending on the category of vehicles.
With the document, PSV drivers are clear since the document shows a driver has been vetted and cleared to operate in the public transport sector. It is mandatory for drivers of matatus, taxis, buses, and other commercial passenger vehicles.
