NIT Professional Driving Guide Kenya · 2026
Class B3 Professional
Driving Licence in Kenya
Requirements · Training · NTSA Process
A precise guide to the B3 professional light-vehicle route: the official 21-year licence-category minimum, the separate 22-year professional-training enrolment rule, four years’ driving experience, medical certification, curriculum, examination and licensing steps.
Professional light-vehicle pathway
What is the minimum age for Class B3?
21 years is the minimum age stated for the B3 licence category in the Third Schedule. 22 years is the separate minimum age for enrolment in professional light-vehicle training, together with at least four years of driving experience and medical test certification.[1][2]
The legal distinction that matters
Why do 21 and 22 years both appear?
The Third Schedule [Rule 24] lists Category B3 (Professional) with a minimum age of 21 years.[1]
Chapter 4.1 sets 22 years as the minimum age to enrol as a Professional Light Vehicle Driver.[2]
The same professional-training provision requires at least four years of driving experience.[2]
Medical test certification is also part of the Chapter 4.1 enrolment requirement.[2]
If the question is the statutory minimum age of the B3 category, the answer is 21 years. If the question is when a learner may enrol for the professional light-vehicle training programme, the published training threshold is 22 years.
Infographic 2 · corrected age distinction
Class B3 age rules, vehicle limits and training requirements
Know the vehicle class
What does a Class B3 licence cover?
The Third Schedule describes Category B3 (Professional) as the category for a taxicab that is a light passenger vehicle. The published limits are a maximum 3,500 kg GVW, manual or automatic transmission, one light trailer not exceeding 750 kg, and a maximum of 7 passengers.[1]
| Check | B3 ProfessionalPublished limit | Not B3Use the appropriate category |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Professional light passenger vehicle / taxicab | Larger passenger-service vehicle |
| Maximum GVW | 3,500 kg | Vehicles outside the B3 light-vehicle limit |
| Passengers | Maximum 7 | 14-seaters, minibuses and buses require the applicable Category D class |
| Transmission | Manual or automatic | — |
| Light trailer | Up to 750 kg | Heavier trailer combinations require the appropriate licence category |
For the full B1, B2, B3 and other category comparison, use the NTSA Driving Licence Categories in Kenya guide.
Before registration
Who qualifies for B3 professional training?
Professional B3 training is not designed as a first driving course. Chapter 4.1 requires a learner to be at least 22, have at least four years of driving experience and hold the required medical test certification.[2]
Before tuition is paid, the current driving-licence record, driving experience and professional-training eligibility should be checked. Establish the correct route first, then register.
From eligibility to the final record
Class B3 NTSA process in Kenya
| Step | ActionWhat to do | CheckWhat matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm eligibility. Check age, existing licence, driving experience, medical certification and NTSA/eCitizen records. | Professional training uses the Chapter 4.1 requirements. |
| 2 | Register for professional B3 training. | The training institution should verify eligibility before the course begins. |
| 3 | Complete the applicable NTSA/eCitizen process. | Keep identification and driving records consistent. |
| 4 | Complete the professional curriculum. | The published allocation totals 109.5 hours.[3] |
| 5 | Take the professional examination. | Theory and practical assessment; published overall pass mark above 80%.[3] |
| 6 | Obtain the applicable Certificate of Competence. | The Rules require a Certificate of Competence for issuance of the professional light-vehicle licence.[3] |
| 7 | Complete the professional licence process. | Verify that the correct B3 status appears on the official driving record. |
Infographic 3 · process map
The seven-step B3 professional route
Published professional curriculum
How much B3 professional training is in the curriculum?
The professional light-vehicle curriculum allocates 109.5 hours in total: 57.5 theory hours and 52 practical hours.[3] The figure describes the published curriculum allocation; the institution’s approved timetable determines how those hours are scheduled.
Professional knowledge, road safety, inspection, planning and related units.
Vehicle control, observation, road driving and practical professional competence.
The published professional-light-vehicle allocation.[3]
The course builds on existing driving experience; it is not a beginner learner route.
What does professional training cover?
The published Chapter 4 units include professional vehicle construction and controls, self-inspection, observation, vehicle control, communication, speed and space management, emergency manoeuvres, skid control and recovery, adverse driving conditions, preventive maintenance, work planning, customer care and on-road driving.[3]
Chapter 4.24
Class B3 professional examination
The professional-light-vehicle examination is a theory-and-practical assessment conducted by a driving test examiner at the driving test centre. Chapter 4.24 gives a 2-hour theory component, a 0.5-hour practical component (about 30 minutes) and an overall pass mark above 80%.[3]
| Assessment | Published allocationProfessional B3 | Prepare forCompetence |
|---|---|---|
| Theory | 2 hours | Professional rules, vehicle safety, inspection, hazard awareness and road judgement |
| Practical | 0.5 hours / about 30 minutes | Controlled, observant and professional road driving |
| Overall standard | Above 80% | Prepare for the complete professional assessment, not road-sign memorisation alone |
For detailed test preparation, use the dedicated NTSA Driving Theory Test guide and NTSA Practical Driving Test guide. Article 120 stays focused on the professional B3 route.
Do not mix the two stages
Learner PDL vs provisional professional driving licence
A normal learner Provisional Driving Licence is used during the learning stage and is generally valid for three months under the applicable process. Chapter 4.24 separately states that a learner who acquires the applicable Certificate of Competence may subsequently be issued with a provisional professional driving licence valid for six months.[3]
The three-month learner PDL and the six-month provisional professional driving licence should not be presented as two descriptions of the same document. Follow the live NTSA/eCitizen transaction shown for your application.
Infographic 4 · training and licence stages
Training hours, examination and professional licence stages
Keep the search intent clear
B3 and ordinary Class B are not the same
Ordinary Class B covers light-vehicle driving. B3 is the professional light-vehicle category. For the full B1, B2 and B3 comparison, use the licence-categories guide.
Can B3 be used for every passenger vehicle?
No. B3 is limited to qualifying light passenger vehicles carrying a maximum of seven passengers. Larger passenger vehicles require the applicable Category D licence.
Is B3 enough to operate a taxi?
B3 addresses the driver’s professional light-vehicle category. It does not automatically replace separate requirements that may apply to the vehicle, PSV operation, insurance, operator, identification or digital taxi platform. Treat the driver’s licence and the commercial operation as separate compliance questions.
One final check before enrolment
Before paying for Class B3 professional training
- Confirm that your current driving record is correct.
- Confirm that you meet the professional-training enrolment requirements.
- Complete the required medical certification.
- Make sure your identification matches your NTSA/eCitizen record.
- Confirm that the institution is offering the appropriate professional-light-vehicle training.
- Separate the institution’s training fee from government charges.
- Use the amount and service label shown in your own live eCitizen account before government payment.
Check eligibility first → register for the correct training → pay after the route has been confirmed.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for a B3 driving licence in Kenya?
The Third Schedule lists the minimum age for Category B3 (Professional) as 21 years.[1]
Why does B3 professional training require age 22?
Chapter 4.1 separately sets 22 years as the minimum enrolment age for training as a Professional Light Vehicle Driver.[2]
How much driving experience is required?
At least four years of driving experience is required for professional-light-vehicle training.[2]
Is medical certification required?
Yes. Medical test certification is part of the published Chapter 4.1 enrolment requirements.[2]
How long is the published professional curriculum?
The published allocation is 109.5 hours: 57.5 hours of theory and 52 hours of practical training.[3]
What is the professional B3 examination pass requirement?
Chapter 4.24 sets an overall pass mark above 80%, with two hours allocated to theory and 0.5 hours to practical assessment.[3]
Class B3 in one line
The professional route
Confirm the 21-year category rule → confirm the 22-year professional-training eligibility → verify four years’ driving experience and medical certification → train → take the professional examination → obtain the applicable Certificate of Competence → complete the NTSA professional licensing process → verify B3 on the official record.
Class B3 professional driving training in Migori
Register at Newton Institute of Technology
If you meet the professional-training requirements, contact Admissions before payment so your current licence, driving experience and training route can be checked.
LocationMigori Town, Migori County
DirectionsMigori–Sirare Highway, Namba Area · approximately 0.3 km opposite Rubis Filling Station
Before registrationConfirm the current Class B3 intake, timetable, course fee and registration requirements