I never knew how serious the Government was in getting all its operations online to promote efficiency and transparency until a friend of mine went trying to renew her driving license at the Huduma Centres and was she was turned away. My friend was told she had no option but to use the online portal which the government had set up for Kenyans to renew their driver’s licenses and other important documents.
The online renewal of driving licenses follows the introduction of E-citizen portal for government payment services. What this means is that no new driving licenses will be issued from banks or Huduma Centres. After my friend went through that ordeal, I thought it would be nice as a technology blogger to help two or three people by giving simple tips on how they can renew their licenses online.
So how do you do it?
First, log into the NTSA new portal (www.ntsa.go.ke) and sign up for an e- citizen account. All that is required here is your National Identity number and your first name as it appears on the National ID.
Once you create the account, you will be directed to a new window that displays services one can acquire from the portal. These services include an application for provisional driving license, driving test application, application for an interim driving license, driving license renewal, driving class endorsement, duplicate driving license and driving license information corrections.
Click on Driving License Renewal. Once you are on this interface, you will be guided on simple steps on how to renew the license and all one needs is the Driver’s Licence Reference Number found on the first page of the driving license, titled C o C in brackets. You will also be given a few guidelines plus the fees charges are which are indicated on this phase i.e Kshs. 600 plus Kshs.50 for convenience fee for one year and Kshs. 1400 plus a convenience fee of Kshs. 50 for 3 years.
Once you are done with the few guidelines, click on the apply now option. You will be required to fill in the reference number as it appears on the Driving license as well as fill in the renewal period. After filling, you will be required to choose a mode of payment which can be through M-Pesa or through a Debit/credit card. After the payment, submission, and successful application print your renewal slip and boom, you are good to go.
NTSA also offers a mobile platform where one can find out their driving license details. You can always check by sending the word ‘DL’ to 22430 to subscribe, then dial *512#, type in your ID Number / Passport Number (The Number you used during the application for the DL) or type in their Driving License Reference Number and then Click. Each transaction cost Kshs. 6.
I hope that was helpful. If you liked this article or having problems using the portal drop us as a comment in the comments section below and I will gladly try help you out.
Thanks
The online renewal for drivers licence DOES NOT WORK! USELESS! It MUST be a scheme to fleece poor Kenyans or to confuse them or to keep Kenyans at hands reach.
Actually, it does work. I just renewed mine in less than 30mins!!
I renewed mine in 3 minutes
This website does NOT work.
I need to renew my license and the instructions are bogus.
there is absolutely no way for me you apply using this website
Typical Kenyans, always complaining. The web portal works perfectly fine. I followed all the steps to the end and I was able to renew my DL. Very easy steps. No wonder we Africans we don’t develop, mnafanyiwa kazi ikuwe rahisi and all you do is complain. SMH!
IT WORKS! And, let me say, for a government website, much efficiently than most commercial portals/sites. Congrats team. Way to go.
Thank you Michael for stopping by to read the details
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Am liking this digital government. For the first time in Kenya you can get services at the comfort of your home without having to queue or bribe anyone!
how do you then get a receipt to confirm you payment of renewal.
Thanks so much that was fast I renewed my licence in 3 minutes!
I’m trying to renew my driving license but whenever i enter my details, it says that my records cannot be found on the server! when i call the number provided it says number cannot be reached at this time (all the time)! what should i do??? it is very frustrating
Hi Boniface,
It could be your details are not in their server. I would advice you visit any office where they renew them. They can be in a position to help.
The system works quick well i dont know why we always complain even wen things are made easy 4 us. If the Number is busy keep on trying you know many are calling so be patient.
You are a fool. How are things easy if they don’t work. I’m a tech guy and the system is giving me the same issues. Systems should be designed to cope with heavy traffic. Stop making excuses for incompetence.
Hi Peter, You do not have to insult me, the writer. There is a polite way you can put it, not by calling me a fool.
Thanks.
Im trying to sign up to sign up to this service and the response is that my already registered…. I wonder by who?
Very helpful, thanks.
You are welcome Angie and thanks for stopping by my blog
Nick
Thank you Angie and Glad you could pass by my blog.
Nick
i applied my DL with my passport. Am trying to register and renew my license but its not working. How can i pay if i applied with my passport?
Hi Sally,
That might be a bit tricky.
I would advice that you physically visit where you applied it from or Huduma center. They might be in a position to help.
Nick
So fast to renew a Driving License within ten minutes.
Hi Terry,
Glad it worked.
Thank you.
Nick
Hey, what if one applied for the DL via passport previously and currently still doesn’t have an ID, how does one renew the DL?
Hi Abdul,
I would advice you physically visit the place you applied it from or any other office for advise on that. They might be in a position to help. I understand you still have the passport, so that should make it easier for you.
Thank you.
Nick
WOW!
Well done GoK.
Very efficient!!!This method works like a charm!!!And needless to say is a good way to deter corruption and save on time. If these integrations are the future I LIKE IT! I registered and renewed my licence in 10 mins!
Please, what office can we go to if details/records cannot be found in the system for renewal of license?
Hi Katherine,
I would advise you visit where you applied your driving license from or any Huduma Centre. They will be in a position to help
Thank you!
Excellent! Typical Kenyans always complaining!!! i did my application in less than 15 minutes. The only trick is registering or opening the ecitizen account coz you need to upload a photo. Otherwise kudos NTSA…i also paid by mobile money…very convenient
wow thanks it worked for me and its very fast and reliable keep it up
Lost my DL, visted NTSA offices in Times Towers on 3.9.2015 specifically on Mr Nyamu’s desk on the 3rd floor. Unfortunately he was unable to trace my DL details online yet l did my renewal for 3 years, last year via huduma centre-Nrb. l needed the ref. no. of my DL because l already have the police abstract so that l could apply for a duplicate licence. My I.D NO. is 1973640. Even NO. 22430 given for online transaction does’nt work. Desperate client. Kindly assist
How do i get the receipt to confirm that i have paid?
Do i have to go to a specific place to print the receipt?
The website is ntsa.ecitizen.go.ke.The file reference number only applies for those applying for duplicate driving license and not for renewal.
For those getting the response that they are already registered, kindly click the login icon and sign in using your email address and password.
Hi,
I cant find my DL on e citizen. It has been 4 days since i requested for the same to be corrected and i have no positive response.
Kindly help.
So now what next after successfully renewing? Where do I collect my ID? Times Tower?
kenyans plse stop to complain when things are getting good and digital,have just renewed mine 5minitues ago ,and its realy working well, so if your DL is from river road it cant appear kwa system .gorver hoyeeee.
The website is not working at the moment. I have tried it for the past week and it will not work. I keep getting a message telling me to try later. I have visited the centre and the advice was that they are aware. With a soon-expiring DL any further tips?
Hi Lydia,
I guess you should try visiting a Huduma center and try the previous means of renewing a driving license to try and stay safe.
It works!! Just manged to do mine those complaining take time or ambia mtu akisaidie its simple …thanks
Can someone still renew dl from national bank…
This was really helpful, thanks a tonne!
why is had to renew DL for foreigners,as I can’t create an account .I have been trying for the last two months with no success.The link cannot verify the alien card number with the first Name,the answer has been to try in few minutes. so far no solution???
Em unable to renew mine for sometime now, reason being it has not been registered in the main server. Went to huduma center was told to ttake it to KRA (kisii). Plz help me coz em told to take it to Kisumu for registration
thanks to you and the well guided instructions on how to renew my DL i was able to do it in 10mins…ofcourse -a good internet connection in the mix..im now a happy driver..thank you for the simple well illustrated guidelines… mtu akisema it doesn’t work i wonder the best most suitable kind response you can give them…thanks again..
Its very easy try applying it during non working hours when the website is free from traffic
Its very easy applying for a driving licence jst try applying it during non working hours when the website is free from traffic it will take you less than 15 min
The http://www.ecitizen.com for renewing driving license is not working it has been two weeks now. Please help to giude me on what to do
Hello ,
Am a Ugandan
How can I renew my license since I have no ID. Or. Which office deal with international driveerli license?
Hi Ssekimpi,
Dou yu have a passport? or what details did you use to apply for the driving license. They could help
Hey awsome article.I was able to apply for a defaced DL and in no time was succesful. Problem is i subscribed to the 22430 service to enquire about my app but ever since then i keep on receiving their text messages which they consume my airtime alot. How do i unsubscribe from this?
Unsubscribe by dialing:*100*9*3*2# then you will get all your subscription s n unsubscribe the one you want.
is it a must that i register somebody for his own account before i renew his/her license or i can use my account to renew for them. i am a cyber attendant. thanks
You can renew it for him or her if you have the log ins and any other required details
Hi,
Do you know if there is a password reset option? Because I’m in the states and I forgot my log-in password. I’ll soon be declared an illegal if all my papers are not in order.
Kindly assist.
Hi,
I registered on e citizen, and followed all the instructions, but can see where to fill my drivers license coc?
When I click on the “APPLY NOW” button it says no records found on server.
So first where the H### do I fill in my coc license number?? cant see the “brackets” except if I am going blind.
Someone has to do a complete how to on renewal of drivers license STEP BY STEP GUIDE.
THANKS
I am outside Kenya and would like to log in the website. Problem is, i dont have my Id neither my Id number. I only have a pssaport. Another issue , being that i am not in Kenya and need to renew my DL , can someone else do it for me?
I have already renewed my DL online successfully. Wat do i need to collect it and where do i collect if from and how long will it take to be out?
You have your DL with you right? what do you want to collect?
The damn thing is not working, ‘currently pilot phase’
I have trying to renew my DL but when I long into the system it says no records found. What should I do to find the records.
Plz help me.
hi i am unable to renew my DL since i have forgotten my email and passwork kindly reset,thanks
i am a cyber attendant when customer comes he/she say i want to renew a driving licence what are requirements i should ask for ?plz help
am trying to renew my DL, I have already signed up and I have an e-citizen account, but when I click the ”apply now ” button am told my details are not available…anyone with the same experience or solution ..thanks
i have the same issue too..i do not know how to resolve this, because it is the only thing that i need to do so that i can renew my license.
Hi jac
I had the same problem kindly go to kra with your ID and DL then your details will be updated then go to cyber and renew your DL it will take you very less minutes at KRA. Let’s all be positive to the changes. Thanks
Oh wow..sounds like a lot of work. Wish they could just update the records now that they actually have them. But guess I will have to do that.
Thanks.
I still have the old color red driving licence, should I apply for the new one?
I really works as easy as 123 this is the digital kenya
Your application cannot be submitted at this time:
No records found on server
Need to renew my DL, what’s happening?
GOK well done, the system works remarkably well…Logged in, payed and received my renewal details in a record 3 minutes, even after a password reset, beating the previous NBK and KRA queues.
I have noted most complaints coming from individuals who used unscrupulous means of obtaining the DL document, the system is slowly catching up!
Has anyone in the diaspora (without an id) had any success with the DL renewal process while using a Kenyan passport? Also, does the GOK have plans to allow the use of passports on the eCitizen portal? Would make sense, wouldn’t it?
This is very good. The system now works very well. I hope all these extent to other departments to avoid Long lines and avoid Bribes. Go Kenya.
Sorry I mispelled my name. It is Mitati Emmanuel Kinisu.
I wanted to learn that
Great initiative informing us Tech Trends and equally great initiative by the Govt.
The C of C no. has 2 sets of numbers . 1st set, and then another set in brackets. which one do we use as a reference number? I have tried all possible combinations and nothing works. Somebody help.
Am ugandan but i got my dl in kenya plz help me how to renew it
Registered and logged in Successfully, however on trying to renew my DL it says my records could not be found.
My DL is legit and i recall getting it from KRA after going through the AA course so no shorcuts or deals cut.
i have used and renewed it over the last 17 years with no hitch.
it seems the lovely KRA or e-government team did not transfer all records clearly. Now i have to go and sit at a huduma center for a problem i did not create. Very efficient!. Not!
To top it all, both numbers provided in case one has problems do not work. i have tried dialing the numbers severally today but they simply do not go through.
How brilliant!!
Benjamin, and anyone else with the “details not on server” error, I had the same issue this weekend.
I called the number listed on the portal and the lady I spoke to swiftly fixed the issue after giving ID and DL (CofC) number. This was all under 5 minutes. No trip to Huduma Centre was necesarry. Try calling first. The number is: +254 709 932300
Kenya tume enda mbali kweli.
After renewing what next..do I have to print and fix the slip in the licence booklet for NTSA and traffic to confirm I have renewed..
I also need guidance on this,is the invoice enough or i need to have my driving
license stamped?
Kenya Government is really Stupid. anyone who had lost his arm, legs, eye or has serious medical condition after he received his first Driving license also can renew it online without any medial test, fit to driving test and physical test. and do you think that printed slip will accepted by any international company when individual try to prove validity of D L. ohhh gross. grow up brothers.
Am trying to renew my license but when i key in my email addressee and the password the system tell me that Ihave forgotten my pasword. What don I do and this is very urgent
Hi Samson,
Try requesting for a new password.