How to transfer vehicle ownership (logbook) in Kenya

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA)’s Transport Integrated Management Systems (TIMS) is a platform that offers several services among them transfer of vehicle ownership. Before accepting a vehicle transfer, ensure that the vehicle is registered, get the logbook from the owner and verify the car ownership with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations. Also, ensure there are no accrued unpaid fines.

When transferring ownership of a used vehicle, the total mileage travelled by that vehicle must be declared, except in the case of a moped or motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of 125 cm³ or less. You need to file a vehicle’s file list its descriptive data (make, model, year, engine capacity, net weight) as well as those relating to its registration (number of former owners and years of acquisition). The file makes it possible to know, in particular, whether the vehicle;

• Has been seriously damaged or rebuilt.
• Has been mechanically verified by the company.
• Has been used for commercial purposes (for example, taxi).

Why transfer vehicle ownership

Transfer of ownership in Kenya can be precipitated by the following events, for which the new owner must register his/her name with the vehicle:

• A transaction with another person (purchase, sale, exchange or gift).
• Death of the owner of a vehicle.
• Donation of a vehicle to an organization.
• Sale of a vehicle to a merchant (with or without the purchase of a new vehicle).

NTSA fee for logbook transfer

NTSA charges a vehicle transfer fee depending on the engine size of the vehicle.

How to transfer vehicle ownership in Kenya

To transfer your logbook to another party, follow this procedure.

a. Register your details in TIMS

1. Open the NTSA web portal.
2. Both buyer and seller must register an account in order to transfer a motor vehicle.
3. Click on “Register an Account” to input your details and follow the process to complete registration. Ensure you click on Subscribe SMS at the top right-hand side of your screen to receive a security code and other notifications involved in the transfer of motor vehicle process.
4. You can register as an individual, dealers, financial institution or company.
5. After you have registered, sign into your account.
6. Input the login details depending on the login method indicated using either ID number for individuals and Username or Certificate of incorporation for companies, followed by your password. Then, key in the pop-up Security Code sent to your mobile phone via SMS.
7. Click on the “Sign In” button to log into the system.

b. Transfer of vehicle

1. To access the transfer menu, click on the “Vehicle registration” button.
2. Then proceed to “Apply for transfer of ownership”.
3. Then, click on “Create new” button and type the registration number of the vehicle you want to transfer.
4. Click on “Inquire” button. This page shows the basic information of the vehicle to be transferred including the original owner.
5. Click “View” to see particulars of the vehicle and upload a scanned copy of the logbook.
6. Under “New vehicle owners”, the seller should select Individual/Non-Individual/Financier.
7. Enter buyer’s details and the buyer can either be an individual, company or a financial institution.
8. For Individuals enter National ID/Alien ID and PIN; and for Company/Financial Institutions enter PIN.
9. Click on the “Add” button.
10. Then go to “Security verification”.
11. Select “Mobile”.
12. Click “Send verification code”.
13. Then enter the verification code sent to your mobile number.
14. Tick on disclaimer displayed.

c. Acceptance/decline of ownership of vehicle by a buyer

1. Once the seller clicks on “Submit”, the buyer will receive an SMS notification, to notify them that a vehicle has been transferred to them and they are required to accept the ownership.
2. To Accept or Decline transfer, the buyer logs in to the web portal.
3. Once logged in, click on “Accept ownership”.
4. Key in the registration number.
5. Click on “Inquire”.
6. Click “View” to see particulars of the vehicle.
7. Under “Security verification”.
8. Select the “Verification mode (mobile)”.
9. Click “Send verification code”. The system will send a verification code to the buyer’s mobile phone.
10. Fill in the verification code sent to your mobile phone into the field and click “Accept or Decline” on the transfer.
11. Once you “Accept”, you are required to fill out all the relevant information required.  Then, click ‘Submit’ for the application to be forwarded to NTSA for processing and issuance of logbook within seven working days.
12. Once you select “Decline”, the vehicle reverts back to the seller.

Note:

1. Buyer and seller must have an account on TIMS.
2. Both buyer and seller must subscribe to receive an SMS code.
3. Those with an e-citizen account can use their usernames and passwords to log on to TIMS and to update accordingly.