NTSA logbook crackdown: Why thousands of Kenyan motorists risk losing key vehicle services
By Aloys Michael, July 14, 2026Thousands of Kenyan motorists could soon find themselves unable to access critical vehicle-related services after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) renewed its warning on uncollected logbooks.
The Authority has reminded vehicle owners that printed logbooks awaiting collection at NTSA offices and Huduma Centres nationwide will be disposed of after six months in line with its policy. With only five months remaining before the deadline expires, motorists have been urged to collect their documents before they are destroyed.
The warning could have significant implications for vehicle owners because the logbook remains one of the most important documents used to prove ownership of a motor vehicle in Kenya. The document is often required when processing vehicle-related applications, ownership verification requests and other NTSA services.
According to NTSA, motorists who fail to collect their logbooks risk facing disruptions when seeking services that require the current or original logbook.
“Clients will not be able to access services that require a copy of the logbook without attaching the current/original logbook in their application,” the Authority said in an earlier public notice.
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A vehicle logbook is the official ownership document issued by NTSA that contains details about the registered owner and the vehicle. For motorists planning to sell a vehicle, complete a vehicle ownership transfer in Kenya, update ownership records or process applications requiring proof of ownership, failure to collect an available logbook could lead to delays and additional administrative steps.
The warning is also relevant for vehicle owners who purchased vehicles through dealers, agents or third parties and may not know that their logbooks are ready for collection. Others may assume that digital records alone are sufficient, only to discover that some applications still require the physical document.
Motorists who do not have access to their current or original logbook may encounter difficulties when applying for services that require the document as part of the application process, including vehicle ownership transfers, ownership verification processes, applications requiring proof of ownership and other NTSA services that require attachment of the current or original logbook.
With millions of vehicles registered across Kenya, the disposal exercise could trigger a rush among motorists seeking to secure documents that are critical for ownership-related transactions.
How to avoid NTSA logbook delays
NTSA has encouraged motorists to verify the status of their documents before visiting a collection centre. Vehicle owners can use the NTSA online status checker to confirm whether their logbooks, driving licences or number plates are ready for collection. The platform allows motorists to check document status and avoid unnecessary trips to NTSA offices and Huduma Centres.
The Authority has emphasised that the collection of logbooks is free of charge. Motorists collecting their documents must present the previous logbook together with a valid identification document for verification purposes.
Vehicle owners can collect their documents from NTSA offices and Huduma Centres across the country during official working hours. With the 2026 disposal deadline approaching, motorists who have not checked the status of their logbooks are being encouraged to act early to avoid last-minute inconveniences.
For many vehicle owners, collecting an available logbook now could help prevent delays when accessing vehicle ownership services, processing vehicle ownership transfer applications in Kenya and completing other NTSA processes that require the original ownership document.