How to Apply for the New Digital Number Plates in Kenya- Step by Step Guide

You have no doubt by now seen the new sleek digital number plates on our roads.

These new generation plates were launched by the government on 30^th August 2022 after a few false starts. Apart from being visually appealing, the digital number plates come with added security features such as a unique NTSA issued serial number, a hologram, QR code and the Kenyan flag for added measure. Similar to the older generation plates, the front plate is black and white while the rear one is black and yellow.

Upon commissioning, NTSA started issuing these new plates to newly imported vehicles starting with the KDK series. At the same time, it was announced that owners of already registered vehicles will have up to 18 months to apply for the new digital plates.

If you are wondering how to get the new digital number plate in Kenya or even where to start, wonder no more. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

1.The first step is to login to your NTSA TIMS account, here https://timsvirl.ntsa.go.ke/#!/login

2. Once in, on the left-hand side of the screen you will see this menu, click on ‘Reflective No Plate’

3. Under reflective number plates, click on ‘Apply for reflective No. Plate’.

This should bring you to the Vehicle Identification page that will show you a list of the vehicles in your account. Select the vehicle that you are applying for by ticking the box against it on the left-hand side of the screen. Once selected, click on the ‘Next’ button.

This will bring you to a page with more details of the said vehicle. No action is required on this page, therefore click on the ‘Next’ button again.

4. You will now find yourself in the ‘Number Plate collection Arrangement Page’. For reason of applying for reflective plate, select ‘New Generation Plate’. Tick one notification method, e.g., SMS, and select the type of plates i.e. oblong for front and square for back.

On the same page, you will be required to attach a photo of the front and back of your current registration plates.

Expert Tip- the page only accepts PDF format. Take both photos, paste them on a Word document, and convert to PDF. Make sure it is one page and not two.

Similarly, you will be required to attach the vehicle logbook. Attach it on the spot that says ‘Tape Lifting Report’. Again, make sure it is a PDF version.

After you have attached the two items, click on the next button. This will bring you the payment page. Verify the vehicle details and click on the ‘Pay’ button. Select your payment mode and pay. The fee is 3,050kes.

After making payment, print your receipt. The next page will ask you to select where you will collect the number plates e.g., Nairobi, Mombasa etc., as well as the person authorized to collect them.

NTSA will send  you a text message when your plates are ready. While the official waiting period is two weeks, be prepared to wait up to a month for the new plates.

Please note: To collect your new digital plates, you will be required to submit your old plates to NTSA and trade them in for the new ones.