This article focuses on the categories of driving licenses in Kenya. These categories are per the guidelines of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the body with the mandate of issuing driving and PSV licenses to transport operators in Kenya.
Category A
1. Category AM – Moped
- Enables one to ride a motorcycle not exceeding 50cc.
- Minimum age is 16 years.
2. Category A1 – Light Motorcycle
- Enables one to ride a motorcycle above 50cc.
- Minimum age is 18 years.
3. Category A2 – Motorcycle Taxi, Couriers & Three Wheelers
- Enables one to ride a motorcycle above 50cc and carry a passenger.
- Holder can operate categories A1 and A2.
- Minimum age is 18 years.
4. Category A3
- Enables one to ride a three-wheeled motorcycle and carry a maximum of 3 passengers.
- Minimum age is 18 years.
Category B
5. Category B1 – Automatic Light Vehicle
- Enables one to drive a light passenger vehicle of up to a maximum 3500cc automatic and light trailer of up to a maximum of 750cc and carry up to a maximum of 7 passengers.
- Minimum age is 18 years.
6. Category B2 – Light Vehicle
- Enables one to drive a light passenger vehicle of up to a maximum of 3500cc manual or automatic and light trailer of up to a maximum of 750cc and carry up to a maximum of 7 passengers.
- Holder can operate Category B1.
- Minimum age is 18 years.
7. Category B3 – Professional
- Enables one to drive a manual or automatic taxi cab of up to a maximum 3500cc manual or automatic and light trailer of up to a maximum of 750cc and carry up to a maximum of 7 passengers.
- Minimum age is 21 years with 4 years of experience.
Category C
8. Category C1 – Light Truck
- Enables one to drive a light truck with a maximum gross weight of 7,500kgs.
- Holder can operate B1 and B2.
- Minimum age is 21 years, maximum age 65 years.
- One should be a holder of class B2 for at least 2 years.
9. Category C – Medium Truck
- Enables one to drive a heavy truck with a gross weight exceeding 7,500kgs.
- Holder can operate class B1, B2, and C1.
- Minimum age is 24 years while the maximum age is 65 years.
- One needs to have 2 years of experience driving category C1.
10. Category CE – Heavy Truck With Trailer
- Enables one to drive a heavy truck with a gross weight exceeding 7,500kgs with a heavy trailer or semi-trailer.
- Holder can operate class B1, B2, C1, and C.
- Minimum age is 28 years while the maximum age is 65 years.
- One needs to have 4 years of experience driving category C and is required to undergo training and retesting for category CE.
11. Category CD – Heavy Goods Vehicle for Transport of Hazardous Items
- Enables one to drive a heavy truck with a gross weight exceeding 7,500kgs with a heavy trailer or semi-trailer.
Category D
12. Category D1 – Van
- Enables one to drive a van with a maximum of 14 passengers.
- Holder can operate B1 and B2.
- Minimum age is 22 years while the maximum age is 65 years.
13. Category D2 – Minibus
- Enables one to drive a bus with 14-32 passengers.
- Holder can operate B1, B2, and D1.
- Minimum age is 25 years while the maximum age is 65 years.
- One needs to have a minimum of 3 years of experience driving category D1.
14. Category D3 – Large Bus
- Enables one to drive a bus with 33 or more passengers.
- Holder can operate B1, B2, D1, and D2.
- Minimum age is 30 years and maximum age is 65 years.
- One needs to have a minimum of 3 years of experience driving category D2.
- One is required to undergo training and retesting for category D3.
15. Category D4
- Enables one to drive an articulated bus.
- Holder can operate B1, B2, D1, D2, and D3.
- One needs to have a minimum of 3 years of experience in D3.
16. Category DE
- Enables one to drive motor vehicles of category D coupled to a trailer whose permissible maximum mass exceeds 750kgs. Driving License Categories in Kenya
Other Categories
17. Category E – Special Professional Driving License
- Enables one to drive any vehicles classified under categories C1, C, CE, D, D1, D2, D3 and licensed as EC1, EC, ECE, ED, ED1, ED2, and ECDE3 respectively.
- Minimum age is 21 years and maximum age is 65 years.
- One needs to have completed 3 months of driving practice with any vehicle classified under categories C1, C, CE, D, D1, D2, D3 and licensed as EC1, EC, ECE, ED, ED1, ED2, and ECD3 respectively.
18. Category F – Special Driver’s License for Persons with Disability
- Enables one to drive a vehicle in which the person is tested for.
- Minimum age is 18 years.
- One must provide a valid medical certificate, assessment report, and disability certificate.
19. Category G – Industrial Construction and Agricultural Plants and Equipment
- Enables one to operate a forklift, motor grader, shovel, excavator, roller, and any other special kinds of plant and equipment for which special authorization is required.
