NTSA Issues Update for Motorists Waiting for New Number Plates

File photo of new generation number plates displayed
A photo of samples of the new generation number plates displayed during their launch in October 2022.
Photo
Ministry of Interior

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has urged applicants who received SMS notifications to collect the new number plates.

NTSA, on Wednesday, said that the number plates should be collected at the centres where applicants selected during the application process.

"We humbly request motor vehicle owners who have received SMS notifications on a collection of reflective number plates to visit the centres they identified during the application process," read part of the update.

From left, ICT CS Joe Mucheru, Transport CS James Macharia and Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiangi (centre) during the commissioning of new generation number plates
From left: Former CSs Joe Mucheru, James Macharia, and Fred Matiang'i during the commissioning of new generation number plates in 2022
Photo
Ministry of Interior

Last week, the authority also asked motorists to collect smart driving licenses

NTSA has been pushing for all motorists to migrate from the old number plates to the reflective and digital ones with more features.

The plates were introduced in 2022 by the Ministries of Transport and Interior, then under Cabinet Secretaries Michael Kamau and Fred Matiang'i, respectively.

With the new plates, motorists get to choose between square and oblong shapes and are charged Ksh3,050 for the process.

The process is estimated to take about two weeks before motorists access the plates.

However, motorists have been complaining of waiting for up to two months without receiving an update from NTSA. 

Since the rollout, NTSA has yet to issue the time limit for applications.

One of the features of the new number plates is the unique letters and numbers, which are slightly disproportionate to avoid modifications.

The plates also have chips that contain the data of the vehicle, including the year of manufacturing, type, colour, and other details.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen inspecting the issuance of digital number plates at NTSA offices in Nairobi on September 22, 2023.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen inspecting the issuance of digital number plates at NTSA offices in Nairobi on September 22, 2023.
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Kipchumba Murkomen