How to Search for Details and Ownership of a Vehicle in Kenya
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Amos Njogu Jan 16, 2023
How To

There are many reasons why you would want to know the registration particular of a motor vehicle. E.g., when buying a car found at Dealers Yard. Or when required by a bank or an insurance company or for legal proceedings, among other reasons.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is the legal entity manded to register and licence motor vehicles in Kenya. You can obtain a copy of the registered record of a motor vehicle from the NTSA online portal, known as the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS).

I will take you, step-by-step, through how you can search for a given vehicle’s details.

Steps to Search

  1. Log on to the NTSA TIMSVIRL portal. Create an account if you don’t have one.

  1. You will be redirected to the dashboard once you log in. Click ONLINE SEARCH from the sidebar on the left.

  1. In the next window, choose Copy of Vehicle Register Record from the sidebar.

  1. On the next page, provide the Search Parameters, i.e., Chasis/frame Number or vehicle registration number. Click the Enquire Button. If the vehicle search is available, it will be listed in the form showing its current status. Click NEXT to proceed.

Note At the time of writing this article, the registration number was mandatory.

  1. Review the charges, then click NEXT.

  1. Choose your preferred payment method and pay. Here, you must pay the amount in full. No over or underpayment.

  1. The system will redirect you to a page showing the vehicle particulars once the payment is successful.

Note This vehicle’s page shows only once when writing this article. If you navigate away, you must PAY FOR ANOTHER SEARCH 😢.

  1. Scroll to the bottom and click print. A dialog will open up. Click the download icon. Ensure you download the pdf file before navigating away.

Notes

  • Not all vehicles are available for search to the public record. Obviously, for legal and security reasons.
  • When writing this article, the previous searches are not saved. You must pay for another search if you don’t keep the details
  • Vehicle ownership details can change overnight, e.g., after the sale of a vehicle. Always ensure you search right before completing a transaction.

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