NTSA 2026 Commercial Vehicles Regulations
Driver onboarding requirements
Everything you need before your PickApp driver account is activated — personal documents, licence category, vehicle compliance, and platform setup. Our onboarding officer guides you through every step.
1. Personal identity documents
Required for every driver, regardless of vehicle category.
| Item | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National ID or Passport | Valid Kenyan National ID or current passport. Must match the name on your driving licence exactly. | Mandatory |
| Passport-size photo (×2) | Recent, clear, white background. Used for your PickApp driver profile badge. | Upload |
| KRA PIN certificate | Required for tax compliance and M-Pesa Business Account setup. | Mandatory |
| M-Pesa registered number | Must be in your own name — this is the account your trip earnings are paid to. | Mandatory |
| Next-of-kin contact | Full name, relationship, and phone number. Held on file for emergencies. | Mandatory |
2. Driving licence — NTSA category
Your required licence category depends on the vehicle you'll operate.
| Vehicle category | Licence requirement | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike / Tuk-tuk | Category A3 licence. Minimum age 21. 1 year riding experience. | Verify online |
| Pickup / Van (up to 3,500 kg GVW) | Category B or B Professional licence. Minimum age 18–21. | Verify online |
| 1-tonne lorry (GVW 3,500–7,500 kg) | Category C1 licence. Minimum age 22. | Verify online |
| 3–10 tonne lorry (GVW >7,500 kg) | Category C licence. Minimum age 24. Retest required. | Verify online |
| Articulated / container (with trailer) | Category CE licence. Minimum age 28. 4 years Cat C experience. | Verify online |
| Hazardous materials vehicles | Category CD licence. Minimum age 30. 2 years Cat CE experience. | Verify online |
All licences are verified via the NTSA eCitizen portal before activation. Our onboarding officer handles this step with you.
3. NTSA 2026 Commercial Vehicles Regulations
Effective 1 July 2026 — applies to every commercial vehicle on the platform.
| Item | Specification | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Vehicle Operator Licence (CVOL) | Held by the vehicle owner/operator. Annual renewal, KSh 2,000/year. | Mandatory |
| Commercial Vehicle Road Licence | Per vehicle, KSh 500/vehicle. Must be current and on board. | Mandatory |
| Vehicular telematics (GPS tracker) | Mandatory from 1 July 2026. Transmits speed and location every 5 seconds to NTSA IRSMS, compliant with KS 2295:2018. | Mandatory |
| NTSA vehicle inspection certificate | Annual inspection at an approved NTSA centre. Physical certificate sighted; expiry logged. | Mandatory |
| Approved speed limiter | Conforms to KS 2295:2018, fitted by an NTSA-approved installer, sealed and tamper-evident. Max 80 km/h. | Mandatory |
| Retro-reflective contour markings | Minimum 2 inches wide, full perimeter, KEBS-compliant. | Mandatory |
| Third-party insurance (current) | Valid certificate covering your PickApp operating period. Expiry logged in system. | Mandatory |
| Fire extinguisher (on board) | Serviceable, correct rating for vehicle class, within inspection date. | Mandatory |
| First-aid kit (on board) | Stocked to KEBS standards. Checked at onboarding; driver replenishes as used. | Mandatory |
| Underride protection device | Rear and side guards. Mandatory from 1 July 2026, KEBS-compliant. | Mandatory |
Under Regulation 5 of the NTSA 2026 Regulations, a commercial vehicle above 3,048 kg tare weight is classified as a workplace under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Cap. 236A. PickApp holds no operator liability provided the CVOL is held by the driver/owner and the vehicle is NTSA-compliant.
4. Vehicle condition — minimum standards
| Item | Minimum standard | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres — all four (+ spare) | Minimum 3mm tread depth. No visible cracks, bulges, or exposed cords. Correct pressure. | Mandatory |
| Brakes (foot and hand) | Functional, no grinding, responsive. Handbrake holds on a gradient. | Mandatory |
| Lights — head, tail, indicators | All operational, no broken lenses, functional hazards. | Mandatory |
| Windscreen | No cracks in driver's line of sight. Functional wipers. | Mandatory |
| Mirrors (cab, side, wide-angle) | Present, adjustable, unobstructed. | Mandatory |
| Cargo securing — ropes/straps | Minimum 4 tie-down straps or rope set. Cargo net for loose loads. | Mandatory |
| Load board / body condition | No sharp protrusions, rust-through floor, or structural damage. | Mandatory |
| Vehicle photographs (all sides + cargo area) | Front, rear, left, right, cargo floor — uploaded to your driver profile. | Upload |
5. Platform onboarding & app setup
| Item | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Create driver account | Register with your M-Pesa number, ID number, and licence number. OTP verification required. | Mandatory |
| Upload licence photograph | Clear, unobstructed image of the front and back of your NTSA driving licence. | Upload |
| Upload vehicle registration (logbook) | Front page showing registration number, owner, and vehicle class. | Upload |
| Upload inspection certificate | Current NTSA inspection certificate — both sides. | Upload |
| Upload insurance certificate | Current third-party (minimum) insurance certificate. | Upload |
| Upload GPS tracker certificate | Certificate from an NTSA-approved installer confirming KS 2295:2018 compliance. | Upload |
| Set service area / home base | Select your primary operating zone — you'll receive priority trip alerts within it. | Mandatory |
| Select truck category / categories | Tick every vehicle size you're eligible and equipped to operate. | Mandatory |
| Complete driver safety quiz | 10-question quiz on PickApp policies, cargo handling, and customer service. Pass mark 80%. | Mandatory |
6. Fuel card & partner benefits
Optional, available once you're established on the platform.
| Item | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel card application (Shell / Rubis / Total) | Available to drivers with 3+ months on the platform and a rating of 4.5 or higher. Limit set against confirmed trip bookings, not your personal credit. | Optional |
| Cargo insurance referral | Shippers can add cargo insurance at booking. Drivers are not liable for insured losses that occur en route. | Briefed |
| NTSA renewal reminders | Set your licence and vehicle document expiry dates so the system can alert you at 60, 30, and 7 days. | Recommended |
Driver subscription
KSh 1,000/month, deducted via M-Pesa on the 1st of each month once your account is active. No commission is charged upfront — PickApp's 11% commission is deducted per trip fare, and your subscription covers your platform listing regardless of trip volume.
Ready to start your application?
Our onboarding officer will guide you through every step above and confirm your account within 24 hours.