NTSA Introduces Digital E-Logbooks For Kenyan Motorists

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will phase out physical motor vehicle logbooks and roll out digital e-Logbooks beginning June 10, 2026, in a move aimed at reducing fraud, improving efficiency, and digitising vehicle registration processes in Kenya.

The authority announced the transition from manual, paper-based registration systems to an automated process accessible through the eCitizen platform. According to NTSA, the e-Logbook system will replace the current paper registry with a secure real-time digital platform.

“The system will enable NTSA to shift from a reactive, paper-based registry that is prone to fraud, delays, and errors and move to a proactive, real-time digital system with strong integrity controls and automated lifecycle management,” NTSA said on Thursday.

Under the new system, e-Logbooks will be generated instantly through the NTSA portal, allowing vehicle ownership and registration details to be updated in real time.

“This eliminates the risk of using an outdated paper logbook and reduces fraud during private vehicle sales,” stated NTSA.

The authority added that the e-Logbook system uses digital encryption and secure hashing technology to protect vehicle owners from forgery and fraud commonly associated with paper documents. Each e-Logbook will also contain a dynamic QR code that buyers, insurers, and financial institutions can scan to verify authenticity and ownership instantly.

“Banks and SACCOS can directly verify ownership and lien status via the NTSA system, reducing the need for physical file copies and speeding up loan approvals for vehicle financing,” NTSA said.

The digitisation will also allow vehicle buyers and sellers to initiate ownership transfers online without visiting NTSA offices. NTSA said the system would lower risks associated with loss of physical documents and reduce replacement costs.

In addition, motorists will receive automated reminders for renewals, while law enforcement agencies will be able to verify compliance instantly without requiring physical documents.

The authority said the e-Logbook platform will centralise motor vehicle registration records, maintain audit logs, and strengthen efforts to curb fraud in the transport sector.

“Police and inspection units can query the e-logbook database live to confirm ownership, stolen status, insurance validity, and inspection history. This improves compliance checks and recovery of stolen vehicles,” NTSA further stated.