The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has clarified the enforcement of its new mandatory vehicle inspection regulations, stating that traffic officers will not enforce the inspection requirement on private motorists during route checks.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The clarification was issued in a notice obtained by Kenyans.co.ke on Sunday, June 28, with the NTSA maintaining that the inspection regulations remain in force, but clarified that traffic officers should not demand proof of inspection from private vehicle owners during roadside checks.

"Further to the Notice issued by the Authority regarding inspection of various categories of motor vehicles, we assure the public as follows: During route checks, traffic officers shall not enforce the mandatory inspection requirement on private motor vehicle owners," NTSA stated.

The clarification comes just days after the Authority announced that motor vehicles older than four years would be subject to mandatory annual inspections from July 1, a move that sparked widespread concern and confusion among motorists over how the new rules would be implemented.

📌 What You Need to Know

Further, the Authority said additional details on the implementation and enforcement of the affected regulations would be communicated to the public in due course, signalling that further guidance will accompany the rollout of the new inspection regime.

For private motorists, the clarification offers a reprieve from roadside enforcement of the mandatory inspection requirement, even as NTSA works out the implementation timelines.

Additionally, school transport operators also received a reprieve, with NTSA stating they will not face penalties for failing to comply with two specific provisions under the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026.

The affected provisions are Rule 13, which requires reflectorised red stop mechanical signal arms on school vehicles, and Rule 14, which requires the installation of a telematic system.

"School transport operators shall not be penalised for non-compliance with Rule 13 (Reflectorised red stop mechanical signal arms) and Rule 14 (Telematic system) of the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026," NTSA stated.

Operators of commercial service vehicles also received similar relief, with the Authority stating they will not be penalised for failing to comply with the telematic system requirement under Regulation 9(d) of the NTSA (Operations of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2026.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke