PSV badge and good conduct certificate: the papers an Uber driver needs in Kenya (2026)

A car on Uber or Bolt can only be driven by someone licensed to carry paying passengers. For an owner, checking those papers is the cheapest insurance there is: a driver without them puts your PSV insurance, your platform account and your car at risk. Here is what he needs and how he gets it.

1. A driving licence for the class

The driver needs a valid driving licence in the right class for the vehicle. NTSA's PSV badge process asks for a valid licence — for a saloon taxi, the B3 light-vehicle class is the one usually cited.

2. A certificate of good conduct

Issued by the DCI (the police), it shows his criminal record check.

• Apply on eCitizen: open the DCI's Police Clearance Certificate service, fill in the details and pick a fingerprinting station.
• Fee: KSh 1,050 (KSh 1,000 plus a KSh 50 convenience fee), paid by M-PESA or card.
• Fingerprints: taken at the station you chose.
• Time: usually two to six weeks. The DCI sends an SMS when it is ready to download from eCitizen.

Ask for a recent certificate — the PSV badge application asks for a valid one, and an old one tells you little.

3. A PSV badge

The PSV badge is NTSA's licence to drive a public service vehicle.

What he needs:

• a valid driving licence,
• a valid certificate of good conduct,
• a medical certificate from an NTSA-approved doctor,
• his National ID and KRA PIN,
• a passport photo,
• completion of a PSV training course at an NTSA-approved driving school.

How: apply through NTSA's TIMS portal (log in with eCitizen details), choose the PSV badge under driving licences, upload the documents and pay KSh 1,050. Processing usually takes a few days to two weeks.

What the owner should check

Before you hand over the keys:

1. See the originals — licence, PSV badge, good conduct, ID — and keep copies.
2. Check the dates. An expired badge or licence is as bad as none.
3. Check his Uber or Bolt account is active, and look at his rating and trip history.
4. Put his details in your agreement — badge and licence numbers included. Free template.
5. Diary the expiry dates so you are not caught out mid-year.

For more on choosing a driver, see how to find a driver you can trust.