Motorists aged 60 and above may soon be required to renew their driving licences every year, under new proposals announced by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

The changes were revealed on Thursday, December 18, by NTSA’s Manager for Road Safety Programmes, Samuel Musumba, during an interview on Radio Generation. He said the move forms part of wider reforms aimed at improving safety on Kenyan roads.

“Once you hit 60 years, you will be required to renew your licence every year and not every three years,” Musumba said. “That is what the new driver curriculum proposes.”

Medical reports to be required

Under the proposed system, drivers in this age group would also need to submit a medical assessment report each time they apply for renewal.

Musumba was quick to stress that the requirement is not meant to intrude into personal health matters.

“It is not about knowing what you are going through,” he said. “It will be a standard medical report, just like any other. We are looking at this purely from a safety point of view.”

He added that NTSA would also use the annual renewals to offer practical advice to older drivers, including guidance on managing speed and planning journeys more carefully.

Not yet law

Importantly, the proposals are not yet in force. NTSA confirmed that the changes must first be submitted to Parliament for debate and approval. They will also be subject to public participation before becoming law.

For now, the current system remains unchanged. All drivers, regardless of age, renew their licences every three years, with no mandatory medical assessment.

NTSA says the proposed reforms are part of a long-term strategy to reduce accidents and protect vulnerable road users, including ageing drivers and their passengers. However, until Parliament gives the green light, the rules remain as they are.