NTSA Sets June Date for Mandatory Transition to Digital eLogbooks

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a firm transition date for the adoption of the digital eLogbook, marking a shift in how vehicle records are managed in Kenya.

According to an official notice from the authority, the new system will become effective on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. This move is part of a broader effort to digitize the road transport subsector.

The eLogbook is designed to replace the traditional physical document with a secure, cloud-based record. This change aims to address long-standing issues within the transport sector, including fraud and delays in document processing.

Owners will be able to access their eLogbooks through the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) portal at any time. This 24-hour access eliminates the need for physical storage or the risk of losing paper documents.

One of the primary features of the new system is instant ownership transfer. Under the current manual framework, transferring vehicle ownership can be a tedious process involving physical visits to offices and manual stamping.

The digital platform allows these transfers to be completed online. The NTSA expects this to streamline the secondary vehicle market and improve the efficiency of commercial vehicle transactions.

Security is a central component of the rollout. The authority has integrated digital encryption to make the forging of logbooks nearly impossible. This is intended to protect buyers from the prevalent scams involving fake ownership documents.

Furthermore, the system includes a Quick Response (QR) code verification feature. This allows buyers, banks, and insurance companies to verify the authenticity of a vehicle's record instantly with a simple scan.

The transition also includes seamless integration with financial institutions. Banks can now perform direct verification of ownership and lien status, which is expected to result in faster loan approvals for vehicle-backed financing.

Real-time updates ensure that any changes in vehicle status or ownership are reflected immediately. This transparency is intended to eliminate the use of outdated documents in legal and commercial proceedings.

The NTSA has directed stakeholders to visit their official website for detailed instructions on how to transition existing records to the digital format before the June deadline.

This digital shift aligns with the government's wider goal of automating public services to enhance transparency. President Ruto has previously emphasized the need for digital solutions to curb corruption in state agencies.

For construction firms and fleet operators, the eLogbook promises a more organized method of managing large inventories of equipment and vehicles.

As the deadline approaches, the authority is expected to provide further guidelines on the decommissioning of physical documents currently in circulation.