NTSA Driving License Classes with Vehicle Categories

In 2020, NTSA tabled regulations that established new driver’s Licence categories and the type of vehicles such holders can operate. Compared to the former categorization, this one includes more types of vehicles

Related: List of Driving schools in Kenya

CategorySub-categoryVehicle GroupDescriptionOther categories holder can operateAge and Experience Requirements
Category AAMMoped– Enables one to ride a motorcycle not exceeding 50cc– Minimum age 16 years
– No passenger
A1Light Motorcycle– Enables one to ride motorcycle above 50cc– Minimum age 18 years
A2motorcycle taxi, Couriers and threewheelers– Enables one to ride a motorcycle above 50cc and carry a passengerA1 and A2– Minimum age 18 years
A3– Enables one to ride a three wheeled motorcycle and
a maximum of 3 passengers
– Minimum age 18 years
Category BB1Automatic (Light vehicle automatic)– Enables one to drive a light passenger vehicle of up to maximum 3500 cc
– automatic and light trailer of up to maximum 750cc
– carry up to a maximum of 7 passengers
– Minimum age 18 years
B2Light Vehicle– Enables one to drive a light passenger vehicle of up to maximum
3500 cc manual or automatic and
– light trailer of up to maximum 750cc and
– carry up to a maximum of 7 passengers
B1– Minimum age 18 years
B3Professional– Enables one to drive a manual or automatic Taxicab of up to maximum 3500 cc manual
or automatic and
– light trailer of up to maximum 750cc and
– carry up to a maximum of 7 passengers
B1 and B2– Minimum age 21 years
– 4 years experience
Category CC1Light truck– Enables one to drive a light truck with a maximum gross weight of 7,500kgsB1 and B2– Minimum age 21 years
– Maximum age 65 years
– Holder of a class B2 for at least 2 years
CMedium truck– Enables one to drive a heavy truck with a gross weight exceeding 7,500kgsB1, B2 and C1– Minimum age 24 years
– Maximum age 65 years
– Two years’ experience driving category C1
CEHeavy trucks with trailer– Enables one to drive a heavy truck with a gross weight exceeding 7,500kgs with a heavy trailer or semi-trailerB1, B2, C1
and C
– Minimum age 28 years
– Maximum age 65 years
– Four years’ experience driving category C
– Required to undergo training and retesting for
category CE
CDHeavy goods
vehicle for
transport of
hazardous substances
– Enables one to drive a heavy truck with a gross weight
exceeding 7,500kgs with a heavy trailer or semi-trailer
Category DD1Van– Enables one to drive a van with a maximum of 14 passengersB1 and B2– Minimum age 22 years
– Maximum age 65 years
– 4 years experience
D2Minibus– Enables one to drive a bus with 14-32 passengersB1, B2 and D1– Minimum age 25 years
– Maximum age 65 years
– Minimum experience of 3 years driving category D1
D3Large Bus– Enables one to drive a bus with 33 or more passengersB1, B2, D1
and D2
– Minimum age 30 years
– Maximum age 65 years
– Minimum experience of 3 years driving category D2.
– Required to undergo for training and retesting for
category D3
D4Articulated bus– Enables one to drive an articulated busB1, B2, D1,
D2 and D3
– Minimum experience of 3 years in D3
– Maximum age 65
DE– Motor vehicles of category D coupled to a trailer whose permissible maximum mass exceeds 750kgs
Category ESpecial
professional
driving
license
– Enables one to drive any vehicles classified under categories C1, C, CE, D, D1, D2, D3 and licensed as EC1, EC, ECE, ED, ED1, ED2, and ECDE3 respectively– Minimum age 21 years.
– Maximum age 65 years
– Completed 3 months driving practice with any vehicle classified under categories C1, C, CE, D, D1, D2, D3 and licensed as EC1, EC, ECE, ED, ED1, ED2 and ECD3 respectively.
– Class ED2 licenses shall be endorsed for classes D1 and D while Class ECE license shall be endorsed for C and C1
Category FSpecial driver’s license for Persons with Disability (PWD)– Enables one to drive any vehicles classified under categories C1, C, CE, D, D1, D2, D3 and licensed as EC1, EC, ECE, ED, ED1, ED2, and ECDE3 respectively– Minimum age of 18 years.
– Must provide a valid medication certificate, assessment report and disability certificate
– other requirements are as per the class categories of abled drivers
Category GIndustrial
construction
and
agricultural
plants and
equipment
– Enables one to operate forklift, motor grader, shovel, excavator, roller and any other special kinds of plant and equipment for which special authorization is required– Endorsement for Class G will be done on the driving license
classes of driving licenses in Kenya