Most Kenyans own second-hand vehicles. This means that ownership has been changed or transferred from one person to another. Motor Vehicle Ownership transfer has been made easier by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). Vehicle Transfer can now be done online in Kenya through the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS). Both the seller and the buyer have to participate during the transfer of the motor vehicle and must be registered to the TIMS system
The process of transferring motor vehicle ownership on the NTSA TIMS system involves two steps. The first step will require the seller to initiate a transfer of ownership to the buyer and the second step will require the buyer to accept the transfer request.
Step 1: Seller Initiates Transfer Vehicle Ownership on NTSA
The transfer process of vehicle ownership is initiated by the car seller by;
1. Log in to your TIMS Account.
2. Click on the “Vehicle Registration” button followed by “Apply for Transfer of Ownership“.
3. Click on “Create New“.
4. Enter the registration number of the vehicle that needs to be transferred.
5. To view basic information and original ownership of the car in question, click on “View.”
6. Upload a scanned copy of the logbook of the vehicle that you want to transfer.
7. Under “New Vehicle Owner” select the option that suits you, it could be individual, non-Individual, or financier
8. Now go ahead and enter the Buyer’s details, if it is an individual, you will require to put National/Alien ID and Pin. If it is a financial institution or company, you will need to put in a PIN and then click on the “Add” Button.
9. Go to “Security Verification” and also key in your mobile phone and click “Send verification code”.
10. Key in the verification code sent to your mobile number then check on the “Disclaimer” displayed.
Related: How to Pay Presumptive Tax in Kenya
Step 2: Buyer Accepts/Declines Vehicle Ownership on NTSA
Once the seller has initiated the transfer process, it is up to the buyer to complete the transfer process by accepting the ownership of the vehicle. Here is how the buyer can accept ownership;
1. As soon as the Seller submits the request, the Buyer will receive an SMS notification to accept the vehicle transferred.
2. Hereafter the buyer should Log in to their TIMS Account.
3. On the TIMS dashboard, click on the “Accept Ownership” button
4. Enter the Registration Number then click “Inquire” followed by “View” to see the particulars of the Vehicle.
5. Head over to “Security Verification“, select your mobile phone, and tap on “Send verification code”.
6. Enter the verification code sent to your mobile number.
7. Choose either to “Accept” or “Decline” the transfer.
8. When you accept the transfer, you will be required to fill out relevant information.
9. Click the “Submit” button. This information will be sent to NTSA for processing and issuing of the new logbook.
You will be notified when your new logbook is ready and where you should pick it up. Surrender the old logbook when collecting the new one.