NTSA Tightens School Transport Driver Rules

Drivers who lack medical fitness or the appropriate licence category will be barred from transporting school pupils under NTSA’s new regulations.
The Authority also prohibits drivers without a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge or those who operate while under the influence of drugs or alcohol from carrying students.
NTSA explains these rules aim to cut school transport crashes, standardise operations, and hold providers accountable for non‑compliance.
NTSA Road Safety Manager Eva Nyawira said the regulations were guided by stark statistics on road incidents involving children in Kenya.
“30 per cent of all crashes we see on our roads involve persons under 18, so that is a significant figure, and as educators, we must act,” Nyawira affirmed.
The guidelines require drivers to be qualified and medically fit before being permitted to steer a school vehicle.
“A driver must be authorised, qualified, hold the correct licence category, possess a PSV badge, and be medically compliant,” Nyawira stated.
She added that drivers should have full knowledge of their routes to ensure safe and efficient transport for learners.
Alongside driver standards, NTSA has set strict criteria for school vehicles, demanding mandatory roadworthiness checks and routine inspections.
“The vehicle rules mandate that these cars be roadworthy, regularly inspected, fitted with a seatbelt for every child, and equipped with a functional speed governor,” Nyawira explained.
She further noted that every school vehicle must carry fire extinguishers, first‑aid kits, and bear clear school transport markings.
“Any vehicle failing to meet these standards must not transport students,” she said.
The Authority also empowers school principals to oversee the drivers, ensure vehicles are regularly serviced and inspected, and enforce compliance with the new regulations.
NTSA has also limited school vehicle operation to the 6 a.m.–6 p.m. window, as part of broader efforts to enhance learner safety on Kenyan roads.