Any driver who transports tourists in Kenya must hold a valid Tour Driver’s Licence issued after vetting by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). This requirement exists alongside the standard NTSA driving licence and is grounded in the Tourism Act, 2011 and the Tourism Regulatory Authority Regulations, 2014 (Legal Notice No. 128 of 2014). Tour drivers operate under the TRA’s Class E enterprise category, which covers citizen-level individual tourism practitioners.
In addition to TRA vetting, drivers of Tourist Service Vehicles (TSVs) must register through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and hold a valid Kenya driving licence with a Class D endorsement.
Tour Driver’s Licence Fee Summary Table
| Fee Type | Amount (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TRA application fee (new applicants) | 1,000 | One-off on first application |
| TRA annual licence fee (Class E) | 6,000 | Applies to citizen tour practitioners |
| NTSA TSV application fee | 500 | Payable on first NTSA registration |
| NTSA annual TSV licence fee | 2,000 | Renewable annually via NTSA portal |
| Late renewal penalty | 10% per month | Of applicable licence fee |
TRA fees are set under Legal Notice No. 128 of 2014. NTSA fees are set under the Traffic Act regulations.
Key Requirements
To qualify for a Tour Driver’s Licence in Kenya, an applicant must hold a valid Kenyan driving licence with Class D endorsement, a certificate or diploma in Tour Guiding and Administration from a recognised institution, a recommendation letter from a recognised tour guides association (such as KPSGA) or a licensed employer, and a certificate of good conduct from the DCI. Non-Kenyan drivers are required to produce valid work or entry permits.
Applications to the TRA are submitted in person at the nearest TRA county office or headquarters at Utalii House, Nairobi. NTSA TSV licensing is processed through the NTSA PSV/TSV portal.
Validity and Renewal
TRA tour driver licences are valid until 31 December of the year of issue and must be renewed at the start of each year. The TRA recommends applying in January to avoid operating without a valid licence. Section 19(2) of the Tourism Act imposes a 10% monthly penalty on late renewals.
