- Regulatory Role: What specific role does NTSA play in the licensing and regulation of driving schools in Kenya? How many driving schools do we have in Kenya?
Response
The licensing of driving schools is guided by The Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licenses) Rules, 2020. A checklist is used to confirm if an applicant has met the conditions set out in the regulations.
- Starting a Driving School: What are the key requirements and steps that one must follow to establish a driving school in Kenya?
Response
- All the requirements are as provided in the attached checklist.
- The application and payments are made online through the E-Citizen Platform
- Licensing Process: What does the licensing process for a new driving school involve, and how long does it typically take?
Response
An Operator who intends to open a new driving school is subjected to the checklist drawn from The Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licenses) Rules, 2020.
Upon submission of the application, the Authority conducts due diligence and the operator makes payments. Upon approval of the application, the operator receives a notification and thereafter proceeds to print generated license.
- Instructor Qualifications: What qualifications and certifications must driving instructors have before they can be employed at a licensed driving school?
Response
The specific qualifications are provided for in The Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licenses) Rules, 2020. They include;
- KCSE minimum grade of D-
- Valid driving license with a minimum of four years’ experience
- Must have a certificate of good conduct from DCI
- Must have been trained and passed an instructor course.
- Must be medically fit.
- Curriculum and Training Standards: How does NTSA ensure that driving schools adhere to the prescribed curriculum and maintain quality training standards?
Response
In undertaking its mandate, the Authority continuously monitors the compliance levels of licensed driving schools. In addition to this, our quality assurance officers assess their operations and make recommendations where necessary.
- Compliance and Inspections: How frequently does NTSA inspect driving schools, and what are the common compliance issues that schools face?
Response
All licensed driving schools are inspected annually as a condition for renewal of its license. However quality assurance inspections are continuous.
Common compliance issues include; use of third party insurance, inadequate training materials, poor furniture, absence of qualified instructors, use of unroadworthy vehicles among others.
- Technology Integration: Are there any technology-based requirements or innovations that NTSA encourages driving schools to adopt to improve training?
Response
NTSA encourages schools to use technology to enhance learning in their facilities. This includes use of videos, computers and simulators during the teaching-learning process.
- Penalties and Enforcement: What actions does NTSA take against driving schools that fail to comply with regulations, and what are the potential penalties? Have we had schools banned by NTSA, and why?
Response
- Through the quality assurance inspections, the Authority makes recommendations on area the Driving School should make improvement.
- The Authority can Suspend or revoke a Driving school licence and instructors’ licence.
- No driving school has been banned.
- Role in Road Safety: How does NTSA ensure that driving schools contribute positively to road safety in Kenya?
Response
- Ensuring standardization of learning n all driving school through implementation of the curriculum.
- Testing of learner drivers and driving school instructors on both theory and practical elements.
- Continues monitoring of driving schools to ensure compliance with the requirements of the regulations.
- Frequent stakeholder engagement with driving school proprietors, directors and instructors
- The Authority is the process of automating driver training and testing
- Challenges in the Ecosystem: What are the main challenges NTSA faces in regulating driving schools, and how is the agency addressing them?
Response
- Mushrooming of illegal driving schools
- Engagement of unqualified instructors by driving schools
- Some driving school use vehicles leased from a third party
- Some schools are set up in areas that are not conducive for learning and inadequate infrastructure to support learning
- Poor maintenance of vehicles by driving schools
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