Requirements for Driving an Uber Taxi in Kenya
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Uber has been part of life in Nairobi since 2015, and plenty of Kenyans now earn a living behind the wheel. If you are thinking of joining them, you need more than a car and a smartphone. Uber and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) both have rules you must meet.
Here is what you need to drive with Uber in Kenya today.
Driver Requirements
Uber’s Kenya website lists these documents and steps for drivers:
- PSV driving licence. An ordinary driving licence is not enough. You need a licence that allows you to drive a public service vehicle (PSV), applied for through NTSA.
- National ID card. Uber’s Kenya page also sets a minimum age linked to your ID (it currently says “over 24 years old”). Confirm the exact rule in the Uber Driver app when you sign up.
- KRA PIN certificate.
- Safety screening. Required for drivers in Nairobi and Mombasa.
- Certification session. You must complete Uber’s certification session before you can take trips.
- Profile photo. A clear, well-lit, forward-facing photo of you alone. No sunglasses, and no photo of your licence or another printed picture.
Vehicle Requirements
- The car must be in excellent working and physical condition.
- You will need to upload a VIN report. Cars for Uber Comfort and UberXXL also need an aesthetic report.
- The car must meet Uber’s model-year rules for the product you want to drive:
- Uber ChapChap: new vehicles joining from January 2026 must be a 2016 model or newer.
- Uber Comfort: new vehicles joining from January 2026 must be a 2018 model or newer.
- The car must have valid insurance that covers carrying paying passengers.
UberX and Uber XL stopped accepting new vehicles in December 2024 and were phased out at the end of 2025. Older ChapChap cars are also being phased out year by year, so check that your car’s model year will still be accepted before you buy or lease it for Uber.
How to Sign Up
- Download the Uber Driver app or go to Uber’s Kenya “Drive” page.
- Create an account and choose your city.
- Upload your documents (PSV licence, ID, KRA PIN, profile photo) and your vehicle details and reports.
- Complete the safety screening and certification session.
- Wait for Uber to approve your account before you start taking trips.
Tips
- You do not have to own the car. Many drivers drive for a car owner (a “partner”). Agree on terms in writing before you start.
- Uber is not the only option. Compare other platforms in our list of taxi apps.
- A Certificate of Good Conduct is often asked for by car owners and for PSV licensing. See how to apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct.
- Thinking of owning cars and hiring drivers instead? Read How to Start an Uber Taxi Business.
