Transfer motor vehicle ownership
From: Government of Kenya (public information)
Published 2 June 2026 · Last updated 2 June 2026
Find out how to legally transfer the ownership of a motor vehicle from a seller to a buyer in Kenya. This page guides you through the two-step verification process, costs, and tax requirements on eCitizen.
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Quick facts
- Processing time
- 3 to 5 working days (Dependent on how quickly both parties accept the transfer terms online)
- Base cost
- Variable based on vehicle engine capacity (cc)
- How to apply
- Online (Digital submission)
Fees and times can change. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
Before you start
- The vehicle logbook must be registered inside the seller's active personal or corporate eCitizen NTSA account.
- The vehicle must not have any active financial charges, court injunctions, or Caveats placed against it by banks or legal institutions.
- Both the seller and the buyer must have fully verified and active personal eCitizen accounts.
Documents you need
- National ID card numbers and KRA PIN numbers for both the buyer and the seller.
- A scanned digital copy of the vehicle's physical logbook (for verification if the system requests it).
Fees and charges
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| NTSA Flat Transfer Processing Fee | Ksh 500 |
| Purchase Tax (Engine capacity below 1000cc) | Ksh 1,650 |
| Purchase Tax (Engine capacity 1001cc to 1500cc) | Ksh 2,050 |
| Purchase Tax (Engine capacity 1501cc to 2000cc) | Ksh 3,050 |
| Purchase Tax (Engine capacity 2001cc to 2500cc) | Ksh 4,850 |
| Purchase Tax (Engine capacity 2501cc to 3000cc) | Ksh 6,850 |
| Purchase Tax (Engine capacity exceeding 3000cc) | Ksh 8,850 |
| eCitizen Portal Convenience Charge (Per Transaction) | Ksh 50 |
Questions
Who pays the ownership transfer fees on eCitizen?
By standard commercial custom in Kenya, the buyer pays the final transfer fees and purchase taxes because they are the party acquiring the asset. However, the online process cannot start until the seller initiates it from their portal dashboard.
Do we get a physical paper logbook after the online transfer is approved?
No. NTSA has transitioned completely to smart electronic logbooks. Once the transfer is approved, a new digital Logbook containing a unique QR code is generated as a downloadable PDF in the buyer's account. This serves as your official legal title document.