The Complete NTSA & EPRA Compliance Guide for Kenyan Transporters (2026)

For Kenyan transport and fuel logistics operators, compliance with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is not optional — it is a business survival requirement. Non-compliance can result in vehicle impoundment, hefty fines, licence revocation, and in severe cases, criminal prosecution.

Yet many operators struggle to keep track of the overlapping requirements, renewal timelines, and documentation standards. This guide consolidates everything you need to know into a single reference, updated for 2026.

Part 1: NTSA Vehicle Compliance

Annual Vehicle Inspection

Every commercial vehicle operating in Kenya must pass an NTSA inspection annually. The inspection covers roadworthiness, safety equipment, emissions, and structural integrity. For fuel tankers and heavy commercial vehicles, additional pressure vessel and hazardous material handling checks apply.

Driver Compliance

Drivers of commercial vehicles must hold valid PSV or goods vehicle driving licences. Additional requirements for fuel tanker drivers include hazardous materials handling certification and defensive driving training. NTSA requires operators to maintain driver records including licence validity, medical fitness certificates (renewed every 2 years), and training logs.

Speed Governor and Digital Tachograph

All commercial vehicles must be fitted with NTSA-approved speed governors. Fuel tankers are subject to stricter speed limits (typically 60 km/h on most roads). Operators must retain speed governor calibration certificates and ensure devices are inspected at NTSA-approved centres. Digital tachograph records should be retrievable for at least 6 months.

Part 2: EPRA Fuel Handling Compliance

Fuel Transport Licensing

Any entity transporting petroleum products in Kenya requires an EPRA licence. This covers wholesale distribution, retail transport, and inter-depot transfers. The licence must be renewed annually and is contingent on meeting storage, handling, and safety standards.

Metering and Measurement Standards

EPRA requires that all fuel measurement equipment — flow meters, dip sticks, tank calibration charts — be certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Operators must maintain calibration records and make them available during inspections. Fuel loading and offloading must be witnessed and documented with volumes, temperatures, and density readings.

Safety and Environmental Standards

Fuel tankers must meet EPRA safety specifications including tank construction standards, earthing provisions, emergency shut-off valves, and hazardous material placarding. Drivers must carry Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the products being transported. Operators must have documented spill response procedures and environmental incident reporting protocols.

Part 3: Building a Compliance System That Works

The challenge is not understanding the rules — it is tracking compliance across every vehicle, driver, and piece of equipment in your fleet simultaneously. A 50-vehicle fleet has hundreds of compliance items with different renewal dates, inspection requirements, and documentation standards.

The most effective operators we work with follow three principles: