Kenya passenger-vehicle licence guide 2026
Class D Driving Course in Kenya
D1, D2 & D3 — requirements, training and fees
Check the passenger limit, minimum age, previous licence experience and the correct next Class D category before paying for training.
Which Class D category do you need?
D1 covers a passenger van with a maximum of 14 passengers, D2 covers a bus carrying 14–32 passengers, and D3 covers a bus carrying 33 or more passengers. D2 requires at least three years of D1 experience; D3 requires at least three years of D2 experience plus training and retesting.[1]
Eligibility first
D1, D2 and D3 requirements in Kenya
The published licence schedule sets both age and progression requirements. Meeting the age threshold alone does not remove the experience requirement for D2 or D3.[1]
| Category | Vehicle covered | Age | Previous licence / experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Van carrying a maximum of 14 passengers | 22–65 | B1 and B2 are listed as prerequisites |
| D2 | Bus carrying 14–32 passengers | 25–65 | D1 required; minimum 3 years driving D1 |
| D3 | Bus carrying 33 or more passengers | 30–65 | D2 required; minimum 3 years driving D2; training and retesting required |
Source: Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licences) Rules, Category D schedule.[1]
D1 → at least 3 years’ D1 experience → D2 → at least 3 years’ D2 experience → D3.
Important legal distinction
D1 minimum age and PSV-driver eligibility are not the same rule
The Category D schedule gives 22 years as the minimum age for D1.[1] But section 33 of the Traffic Act separately says a licence or provisional licence endorsed for matatus and motor-omnibuses should not be granted unless the applicant is over 24 and has held the relevant motor-car or commercial-vehicle licence for at least four years.[2]
The published Class D schedule sets 22 as the D1 minimum age.
Section 33 adds an over-24 requirement for those endorsements.
The same provision requires at least four years holding the relevant prior licence.
Age, existing categories, licence history and intended use all matter.
Read the schedule literally
Why do D1 and D2 both mention 14 passengers?
The official schedule describes D1 as a van carrying a maximum of 14 passengers, while D2 is a bus carrying 14 to 32 passengers.[1] The number 14 therefore appears in both descriptions.
Confirm the correct endorsement before registering. This article does not silently rewrite the official D2 range as 15–32.
What you actually train for
What is taught in Class D driving training?
Kenya’s driver-training rules include a dedicated curriculum for Public Service Vehicle Drivers — Category D. It goes beyond ordinary car control and covers the responsibilities that come with carrying passengers.[1]
Core operational skills
- PSV construction and controls
- Vehicle self-inspection
- Observation and communication
- Speed and space management
- Practical road driving
Professional driving skills
- Emergency manoeuvres
- Skid control and recovery
- Adverse driving conditions
- Preventive maintenance
- Conditions of carriage, emergency procedures and customer care
NIT fee
Class D driving course fees at Newton Institute of Technology
Newton Institute of Technology currently charges KSh 12,000 for training in one eligible Class B, C or D category. The standard training period is a minimum of one month.[4]
| Item | Current position |
|---|---|
| NIT Class D training | KSh 12,000 for one eligible category |
| Standard training period | Minimum 1 month |
| NTSA/eCitizen charges | Separate; confirm the live transaction and amount |
| Retest / extra lessons | Separate where required |
NIT fee and duration source: Newton Institute driving-school fee guide.[4]
It is the training fee for one eligible category. D2 and D3 still have their statutory experience requirements.
Seven practical steps
How to register for D1, D2 or D3 training
Start with the categories you already hold.
Do not choose only by the vehicle you eventually want to drive.
Check both age and the required experience period.
Enroll only for the category you are eligible to pursue.
Cover the applicable Category D theory and practical curriculum.
Complete the applicable testing/licensing transaction through the official service.[5]
Check that the correct category appears on your licence before driving it.
Commercial passenger work may require additional PSV steps.
Planning to work as a PSV driver?
Class D is necessary, but it is not the whole PSV-driver process
D1, D2 and D3 determine the passenger-vehicle category. Commercial passenger work has additional legal and administrative requirements.
Quick checks
Common Class D questions
Can I move directly from Class B to D2?
Not under the normal D2 progression in the published schedule. D2 requires D1 and at least three years’ D1 driving experience.[1]
Can I apply for D3 just because I am 30?
No. Thirty is the minimum age, but D3 also requires at least three years’ D2 experience plus training and retesting.[1]
Is Class D the same as a PSV badge?
No. Class D is the driving-licence category. NTSA separately lists a PSV badge service for drivers and conductors.[3]
What should I bring first when enquiring about Class D?
Bring your current driving licence so the school can check your existing categories, experience history and correct next category before payment.
Bottom line
Choose Class D by eligibility, not by bus size alone
For D2 and D3, previous Class D experience is part of the legal progression. For D1 applicants intending to enter matatu or motor-omnibus work, the separate Traffic Act rule also matters. Check the licence you hold now, then train for the category you are legally ready to add.
Newton Institute of Technology
Register for Class D driving training in Migori
Bring your current driving licence for an eligibility check before enrolment. NIT is in Namba Area, Migori Town, along the Migori–Sirare Highway, approximately 0.3 km opposite Rubis Filling Station.[4]
Training feeKSh 12,000 for one eligible category
Standard periodMinimum 1 month
Admissions emailinfo@niteducation.com
NIT driving cluster
Related guides
NTSA driving licence categories
Prepare for the licensing journey
References and sources
- Kenya Law. Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licences) Rules, 2020 — Category D schedule and Category D/PSV curriculum. View primary source.
- Kenya Law. Traffic Act, Cap. 403, section 33 — age and prior-licence rule for matatu and motor-omnibus endorsements. View primary source.
- National Transport and Safety Authority. PSV badge service for drivers and conductors. View NTSA service.
- Newton Institute of Technology. Driving School Fees in Kenya 2026 — NIT Class D training fee, minimum training period and Migori location. View NIT fee guide.
- National Transport and Safety Authority. NTSA service portal / eCitizen driver services. Open official service portal.
Prepared by: Newton Institute of Technology Editorial Team
Institutional / Technical review: Engineer Simon Barongo
Reviewed: September 2026
Driving-licence requirements, NTSA procedures and government charges can change. Confirm your eligibility and the current transaction shown through the official NTSA/eCitizen service before payment.