14-day deadline for vehicle ownership transfers: What buyers must know

Here is what you need to know.

Can a Vehicle Be Used Without Ownership Transfer?

NTSA Director-General George Njao emphasizes that the law mandates a 14-day period for transferring motor vehicle ownership to the new owner (buyer).

"Section 9 of the Traffic Act Cap 403 states that no motor vehicle or trailer, whose ownership has been transferred by the registered owner, may be used on the road for more than fourteen days after the transfer date unless the new owner is registered," Njau explains. "Using the vehicle after this 14-day period is an offence."

What If the Seller Cannot Be Traced?

If the seller is untraceable or refuses to initiate the ownership transfer, NTSA advises that this constitutes a violation of the law. In such cases, the Authority has introduced an alternative transfer service accessible through the NTSA service portal.

What If the Buyer Fails to Transfer Ownership?

According to the Traffic Act, registered owners are deemed the prima facie owners of their vehicles and are liable for any incidents or damages caused by the vehicle, unless proven otherwise. Furthermore, if the vehicle is involved in a crime, the registered owner may be considered a suspect.

To mitigate liability, the registered owner should submit an official letter to NTSA detailing the past transaction and request a caveat. This letter must include the motor vehicle sale agreement, the buyer’s KRA PIN, and a copy of their National Identification card.

Do Vehicle Details Need to Match?

The Traffic Act requires that any changes affecting the registered particulars of a vehicle must be reported to the Authority. The registered owner must apply for a change of particulars inspection through the NTSA service portal. Additionally, motor vehicle insurance will not be issued if the details in the logbook do not match the vehicle’s physical features.