NTSA Logbook Transfer in Kenya: TIMS Process, Fees & Timelines (2026)
How to move ownership without stories — step by step.
Never drive away in a car whose logbook still reads someone else's name. Transfer on NTSA TIMS is the only proof of ownership — a sale agreement alone protects no one.
Process: both buyer and seller log into TIMS, the seller initiates transfer, the buyer accepts, then KRA generates a transfer fee (roughly KSh 5,000–15,000 depending on engine rating) plus new logbook processing. Done together at a cyber or Huduma Centre, it takes under an hour of clicking and 2–14 days for the new logbook.
Before you start: confirm the seller's KRA PIN matches the logbook, check for active loans or caveats on the vehicle, and ensure all number plates match the TIMS record. Any mismatch — walk away.
On Motiva, verified dealers complete TIMS transfer with you before final payment release. Private sellers: do the transfer step together, in person, on the same day money moves.
Key takeaways for Kenyan buyers
- Always verify the logbook on NTSA TIMS before paying.
- Insist on duty-paid proof for foreign-used units.
- Budget 10–15% above price for transfer, service and tyres.
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