Car owners and transport service providers are under new regulations issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) regarding vehicle modifications.
NTSA vehicle modification guidelines 2026, This directive stipulates that all modification work on vehicles should be done only by approved body builders to enhance the safety of drivers and minimize fatalities caused by accidents.
These regulations mainly apply to buses and matatu operators; however, vehicle owners are also affected since they will modify their automobiles in the future.
Reasons Why NTSA Adopted These New Regulations
NTSA says that its decision to regulate vehicle modifications in the country has been necessitated by numerous road accidents due to vehicle modification practices.
Under the Traffic Act, NTSA is supposed to enforce high standards of vehicle design, construction, and assembly.
Approved Body Builders: Who Has the Authority to Alter Your Car’s Body?
The NTSA has published a list comprising over 50 authorized automobile body builders in Kenya.
Some of the most prominent of these firms include:
- East Africa Coach Manufacturers Limited
- Kenya Coach Industries
- Associated Vehicle Assemblers Limited
- Kenyan Vehicle Manufacturers Limited
They are based in the following major counties of Kenya: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Machakos, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Meru.
All authorized body builders are required to adhere to the Kenya Standard KS 372:2019, which covers aspects such as:
- Quality of material used
- Vehicle structure
- Passenger safety
Understanding KS 372:2019 and Its Importance
KS 372:2019 is one of the most significant standards in the current directive.
It ensures that:
- Cars use good-quality and safe materials in their construction
- They can endure the rough conditions of roads
- Safety of the passengers is ensured
This is especially important for public vehicles, which ferry a large number of people on a daily basis.
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Conformity Assessor Role
Other than body builders, the NTSA has also licensed two conformity assessors:
- Al-Sahel Services Limited
- KABM Services Limited
The role of the conformity assessors is to:
- Undertake an inspection of the modified vehicle
- Issue a certificate of conformity
- Attach a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate
The vehicle will not be allowed to operate without certification by the conformity assessors.
Implications for Car Owners
The new regulation will require you to:
- Comply with only those body builders licensed by the NTSA
- Adhere to the KS 372:2019 standard
- Certify through an NTSA licensed assessor
Failure to comply will result in:
- Fines/penalties
- Vehicle confiscation
- Declaration of un-roadworthiness
For the matatu and bus operators, the consequences will be severe.
Testing Your Car for Road Worthiness
To comply with the newly issued directive by NTSA,
- Ensure that you get the modifications done by a certified builder
- Obtain a certificate of conformity
- Make sure you have installed a valid VIN plate
If you fail to follow these guidelines, you might get into trouble legally.
Conclusion
The recently issued directive by NTSA is a big step for vehicle modification regulations in Kenya.
Through imposing strict regulations and restrictions on modifications to only those certified professionals, NTSA is definitely showing its serious attitude towards road safety issues.
To all vehicle owners out there – if you haven’t followed NTSA’s rules, your modified car may soon become illegal to drive on roads.
