All cars older than four years for fresh inspection

All vehicles more than four- years- old will be required to undergo mandatory inspection after the government released rules on the vetting aimed at removing unroadworthy cars from roads.

The draft rules, released by the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) for public review, require private vehicles to be inspected every two years and commercial vehicles annually.

Private car owners will pay between Sh2,600 and Sh3,900 for the checks depending on the vehicle engine capacity.

“All private vehicles which are more than four- years- old from the recorded date of manufacture shall undergo a motor vehicle inspection test after every two years,” the regulations say.

“All commercial vehicles, public service vehicles and school buses shall undergo a pre-registration inspection before registration and an annual periodic motor vehicle inspection thereafter.”

Newly imported vehicles will be exempt from the inspection for two years from the date of registration in Kenya provided that they have been inspected prior to importation by the Kenya Bureau of Standards or its agents.

A schedule of fees in the regulations indicates that private vehicles with an engine capacity of 3,000cc and below will pay Sh2,600 while those above this capacity will pay Sh3,900.

Date of rejection

The inspection will also cover motorcycles, three wheelers and trailers. Motorcyclists will pay Sh1,300 for the inspection while three wheeler operators will part with Sh2,600.

Among key inspection areas will vehicle lamps, indicators, headlights, horns, electrical wiring and battery, the steering system, suspension, shock absorbers, brakes, tyres, seatbelts, speedometers and windows.

“Where a vehicle fails an inspection, the owner shall cause all necessary repairs to be made and within 14 days of the date of rejection the owner shall return the vehicle for re-inspection to the same centre at no extra cost,” the regulations add.

The inspection services will be outsourced to private centres registered with NTSA which will pay Sh300,000 for a three year licence.

This could provide a lucrative business given the high vehicle population in Kenya.

Official data indicates that there were 2.2 million vehicles, including motorcycles and trailers, in Kenya by the end of 2014.

But owners of garages will be dealt a blow with the regulations specifying that they will not be allowed to double up as inspection centres. In other countries which inspect all vehicles such as the UK, garages carry out the exercise.

The move to inspect vehicles is among stringent safety regulations, including the crackdown on drink-driving, meant to reduce road accidents and deaths on roads.

It is the first time motorists face such inspections which are subjected to commercial and public transport vehicles.

The rules do not prescribe penalties for motorists who fail to have their vehicles evaluated.

The rules are expected to come into force once they are gazetted after public input.