NTSA phases out physical logbooks, ushers in e-Logbooks

Vehicle owners in Kenya are set for a major shift as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) retires physical logbooks in favour of e-Logbooks.

The digital system launches on June 10, 2026, via the eCitizen platform, replacing manual, paper-based registration with automated, real-time processes.

Announced on Thursday May, 7, NTSA highlighted how e-Logbooks transform a reactive, fraud-prone registry into a proactive digital powerhouse.

"This moves us from delays, errors, and forgery risks to a secure system with strong integrity controls and automated lifecycle management," the authority stated.

E-Logbooks generate instantly from the NTSA portal, updating vehicle details in real time. This eliminates outdated paper documents and curbs fraud in private sales.

Protected by digital encryption and secure hashing, they safeguard owners from common paper-based forgeries.

A standout feature is the dynamic QR code, allowing buyers, banks, or insurers to scan and verify authenticity, ownership, and status instantly.

"Banks and SACCOS can check ownership and liens directly via NTSA, slashing loan approval times by ditching physical files," NTSA explained.

Transfers become seamless too as sellers and buyers can complete them online without visiting NTSA offices.

Efficiency shines in other ways because low loss risks mean cheaper replacements, automated renewal reminders keep motorists compliant, and no physical document is needed for checks.

Law enforcement gains big from live database queries on ownership, theft status, insurance, and inspections.

"This boosts compliance, speeds stolen vehicle recovery, and centralizes audit logs to fight transport sector fraud," NTSA added.

For everyday Kenyans, especially in traffic-heavy areas like Mombasa or Nairobi, e-Logbooks promise smoother transactions, safer deals, and hassle-free motoring.

Police roadside verifications will happen in seconds, enhancing road safety.

NTSA have since urged motorists to prepare by registering on eCitizen ahead of the rollout.