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NTSA driving test booking Kenya 2026: TIMS process, test fee, common failure reasons

Booking, fee stack, what the test looks like, and why so many candidates fail the highway-code section they thought they knew.

AO
by Reviewed by Michael Mwangi 9 min read Updated 26 August 2026Verified 26 Aug 2026

Before you can book

  • Completion certificate from an NTSA-registered driving school (usually 30 calendar days of instruction).
  • Active TIMS account.
  • Valid KRA PIN.
  • Medical certificate for PSV and commercial classes; not required for Class B.
  • Age: 18 years for Class B, 25 for PSV.

Fee stack

  • Test fee (Class B): KES 1,000 to KES 1,500 (verify on TIMS invoice).
  • Retest fee: KES 600 to KES 1,000.
  • Provisional licence: included in the smart-card fee stack after passing.
  • Driving school tuition: KES 8,000 to KES 25,000 depending on school and package. Not paid to NTSA.

How to book

  1. Confirm with your driving school that your certificate is uploaded to TIMS.
  2. Log into tims.ntsa.go.ke and navigate to Driver Licence then Book Test.
  3. Select class, test centre (nearest NTSA-approved location), and date.
  4. TIMS generates an invoice reference.
  5. Pay M-PESA paybill 222222, account = invoice reference, amount = displayed total.
  6. Print or save the confirmed booking slip.

Test structure

The NTSA driving test has three components:

  1. Highway Code oral or written test. Sign identification, right-of-way rules, PSV-specific rules for commercial candidates. Pass mark is roughly 70 percent; most failures happen here.
  2. Yard test. Reverse parking, hill start, three-point turn on a marked yard. Assessed for control and confidence.
  3. Road test. A short drive with an NTSA examiner covering junctions, roundabouts, and lane discipline. Assessed for observation, indication, and hazard response.

Six most common failure reasons

  1. Highway Code sign errors. Confusing warning signs with regulatory signs, or missing the meaning of the double solid line.
  2. Failure to check mirrors before signalling. Examiners fail candidates who indicate before observing.
  3. Hill-start rollback beyond permitted distance. Any rollback of more than half a metre on the yard hill start.
  4. Roundabout lane discipline. Wrong entry lane for the intended exit, or failing to signal exit.
  5. Speed in built-up zone. Exceeding the posted limit or driving unsafely slowly.
  6. Nerves on the parallel park. Multiple resets, kerb strike, or wide finish.

After you pass

The examiner marks you as passed on TIMS. Log in, download the provisional licence PDF, then pay the smart-card production fee inside the same session. See NTSA driving licence renewal for the smart-card flow (same rails as a renewal).

Sources

  1. National Transport and Safety Authority, TIMS portal, tims.ntsa.go.ke, retrieved 26 August 2026.
  2. NTSA driving school registration and testing framework. Verify current fees at ntsa.go.ke.
  3. Traffic Act, Cap 403, Laws of Kenya, sections on driving-licence issuance and testing.

FAQ

What is the NTSA driving test fee?

The commonly-published figure is KES 1,000 to KES 1,500 for the standard Class B test, with retest priced at roughly KES 600 to KES 1,000. The invoice generated inside TIMS at booking is authoritative; verify at checkout.

Can I take the test without going through a driving school?

No. NTSA requires a certificate of completion from a registered driving school (typically 30 days of instruction) before you can book a test. The school uploads the certificate to TIMS on your behalf.

What happens if I fail?

You can retake the failed component (theory only, practical only, or both) after paying the retest fee. There is no cap on retake attempts. Most candidates who fail once pass on the second attempt.

How soon after passing do I get a licence?

A provisional licence is issued immediately on TIMS. The full smart-card licence follows the standard 4-to-8-week production cycle. See the driving licence renewal guide for the smart-card timeline.