NTSA's New Process for Transferring Vehicles in Succession Cases

The National Transport and Safety Authority has issued a detailed guide on how vehicles inherited through succession should be transferred to new owners. The agency said the procedure is meant to protect families, secure estates, and prevent disputes over motor vehicle ownership. According to the guidelines, vehicles belonging to a deceased person can only be transferred through an alternative or forced transfer process. This includes cases where the original owner is not available to complete the transfer. NTSA said this path is legally required so that the estate can be administered without conflict. “Vehicles inherited or managed under an estate must be transferred through an alternative transfer process. This protects families and owners from ownership disputes,” they said. The succession process begins with documentation, and the authority requires a certified copy of the Certificate of Grants and the schedule of properties. Families must also present a letter appointing the administrators of the estate as this confirms the individuals legally allowed to manage the property. NTSA said the original registration certificate, which is commonly known as the logbook, must be produced, and if the logbook is missing, a police abstract can be used. “An official letter requesting the transfer is required as well. In addition, the applicant must provide a certified copy of the death certificate issued by the Civil Registration Services,” NTSA noted. The agency also demanded a tape lift report from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. A transfer form, known as Form C, must be filled and families must also provide a sworn affidavit from the successor. The final requirement is the KRA PIN and identification documents of the new owner. NTSA said the documents are mandatory to ensure a clear and uncontested transition of ownership. Once the family gathers the documents, the alternative or forced transfer application begins. The applicant is required to access the NTSA service portal at serviceportal.ntsa.go.ke. “Select the alternative or forced transfer option, then fill in the required information. The applicant is also required to choose the correct transfer type,” the authority clarified. NTSA directed applicants to attach clear scanned copies of all the required documents in one PDF file. The client must then indicate the collection centre and provide the identification details of the authorised person who will collect the logbook. After this step, the application is submitted through the portal. Payment is, however, required for forced transfer and inspection, and the amount depends on the vehicle’s engine capacity and the inspection fee. NTSA said these charges vary because of the rating of different units, and after payment, the applicant must wait for seven days. NTSA further noted that the system automatically prompts the client to book for inspection once the seven-day period has elapsed. “The inspection must be booked at a preferred centre and for a specific date. On the inspection day, the vehicle must be presented physically. The applicant must also submit original copies of the documents that were uploaded online,” they said. NTSA noted that this physical verification is critical for confirming the vehicle details and ensuring the transfer is legitimate. The authority said that once the inspection and document submission are complete, the applicant should wait for approval. Upon approval, NTSA will issue a notification. The agency states that “Upon approval a SMS notification shall be sent to the new owner.” This message informs the applicant that the transfer has been processed. Consequently, the timeline for completing the process is three working days which covers the administrative handling of the transfer after the inspection is done. The agency said the efficiency of the system is meant to support families dealing with estate matters. NTSA noted that vehicles managed under an estate must not be transferred in any other way while also underscoring that the process helps safeguard legal rights.