EXPLAINED: All Requirements for Driving Cars With Foreign Number Plates in Kenya

Thousands of foreign-registered vehicles enter Kenya each year under Temporary Importation. These cars are driven by travelers, overlanders, businesspeople, and returning residents. 

Driving a car with foreign plates in Kenya is permitted, but it’s not as simple as crossing the border. You must comply with Kenya’s customs and traffic laws, which regulate how long a vehicle can stay in the country, under what conditions, and what documentation is required. 

Kenya is a member of key regional blocs such as the East African Community (EAC) and COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), both of which have treaties that allow for easier cross-border movement of goods and services, including personal vehicles. 

Thanks to these agreements, tourists and residents from EAC or COMESA countries can temporarily import and use their vehicles in Kenya without needing to register their cars locally, provided they follow time limits and usage rules. 

In some cases, bilateral agreements between Kenya and countries outside the EAC also simplify procedures for frequent travelers, transport operators, and traders who regularly cross the border. 

In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about driving a foreign-registered vehicle in Kenya — what’s allowed, what’s required, and the legal requirements for temporary vehicle importation.

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Who Is Allowed to Drive a Foreign-Registered Vehicle in Kenya?

Kenya permits the use of foreign-registered vehicles to both citizens and non-citizens under specific categories and conditions, primarily guided by customs laws, traffic regulations, and regional agreements such as the COMESA Treaty, EAC Protocols, and bilateral arrangements with other countries. 

The overarching principle is this: driving a car with foreign plates in Kenya is a temporary privilege, not a right. All foreign vehicles must be declared at the point of entry and documented under a Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) or Carnet de Passage, depending on the origin and intended length of stay. (More on this below).

Categories of Non-Kenyans Who May Drive Foreign-Plated Vehicles in Kenya

If you fall into one of the following groups, you’re generally allowed to drive a foreign-registered car into and within Kenya for a limited period:

• Tourists and overlanders: Often driving across multiple countries on extended road trips.

• Temporary visitors: Individuals on short-term assignments, holidays, or medical trips.

• Transit travelers: Drivers passing through Kenya en route to another country.

• Commercial transport operators: Including trucks and buses delivering goods or passengers across borders under international logistics or trade agreements.

• Diplomats and consular staff: Granted special privileges under diplomatic immunity protocols.

Special Rules for Kenyans and Residents Driving Foreign-Plated Cars

Kenyans are allowed to purchase vehicles abroad and temporarily bring them into the country, for example, during holidays or short stays, and for work or business. But this privilege falls under the same Temporary Importation framework used by tourists and visitors. 

However, a Kenyan cannot legally own and drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Kenya indefinitely without complying with specific regulations, which generally require either temporary permits or re-registration as a Kenyan vehicle.

Foreign vehicles imported under Form C32 (Temporary Import Declaration) or a Foreign Vehicle Permit are allowed for short-term use only, usually up to 12 months. During this period, the car must either be:

• Re-exported out of Kenya, or

• Regularised through full importation, tax payment, and local registration via NTSA.

Important Note: KRA does not guarantee permit renewals. Extensions are allowed only with strong justification, and even then, they remain time-bound. Attempting to use temporary permits indefinitely can lead to impoundment, fines, or denial of future entries.

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Key Requirements for Driving a Foreign-Registered Vehicle in Kenya

If you're planning to drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Kenya, you’ll need more than just the keys. Kenya's customs and traffic regulations outline strict documentation and permit requirements to ensure that foreign vehicles are used legally — and temporarily.

Depending on whether you're Kenyan or a foreign national, here are the key documents and conditions you must meet.

1. Temporary Importation Permit (Form C32)

For Kenyan citizens or residents, the primary document required at the point of entry is the Temporary Importation of Road Vehicles Form (C32). This form is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) under the East African Community Customs Management Regulations (EACCMR) 2010.

Form C32 is a customs document that allows the temporary importation of a motor vehicle without paying import duties or taxes, provided the vehicle is not sold or permanently used in Kenya. It is valid for up to 14 days initially and can be extended under specific conditions.

To qualify for a Form C32, the following must be presented at the border:

• Proof of a valid work permit or residency, if the applicant is Kenyan.
• The foreign motor vehicle registration book (logbook), showing the Kenyan as the owner.
•  A Power of Attorney or written authorisation if the person entering Kenya is not the vehicle owner.
• For diplomats, proof of active diplomatic status and a valid diplomatic ID issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.

Extensions to the initial 14-day permit may be granted, but only after:

• A physical inspection of the vehicle by a customs officer.
• Submission of a clear and valid justification for the extension (e.g., vehicle breakdown, delayed travel plans, official assignment).

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2. For Non-Kenyans Entering with Foreign-Plated Vehicles

Foreign nationals from outside the EAC or COMESA regions must present an internationally recognized circulation document known as a Carnet de Passages en Douane.

A Carnet de Passages en Douane is an international customs document that allows the temporary admission of vehicles across multiple countries without the need to pay customs duties in each. It serves as a guarantee that the vehicle will be re-exported and not sold within the country.

To be allowed entry into Kenya, a foreign driver must present:

• A valid Carnet de Passages en Douane or Pass Sheet from their country of origin.
• Passport or foreign ID.
• Proof of residency in a foreign country, if the driver is Kenyan.
• A valid logbook/registration certificate for the vehicle.
• A Power of Attorney or written authorization if the driver is not the owner.

3. Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit

In addition to Form C32 or the Carnet, all foreign-registered vehicles must apply for a Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit. This is issued by NTSA through the eCitizen platform and allows legal road use in Kenya for a specified period.

It is a compliance document that enables a foreign vehicle to be used on Kenyan roads and complements the customs documentation. The cost of the permit is tied to the duration of your stay and the engine size of the vehicle.

Here are the Permit Fees (as per eCitizen):

To make an application for a foreign permit, an individual will need: 

1. A valid Form C32 or an endorsed valid International Circulation Permit from the Country of Origin (Carnet de Passage en Douane)
2. Certificate of COMESA Insurance
3. An online account on eCitizen which will be used to make the application.

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Wrapping Up

Driving a foreign-registered vehicle in Kenya can be convenient for short stays, but it comes with strict timelines and regulations. Once you’ve entered the country and received your Form C32 and Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit, it’s your responsibility to track expiry dates and apply for extensions early, if necessary.

If your permit is about to expire, you must visit the Customs and Border Control Department, Enforcement Division Regional Office to request an extension. Failure to act in time may result in vehicle impoundment, fines, or other enforcement actions by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

If your vehicle no longer qualifies for temporary importation due to permit expiry, you will be required to re-export the vehicle immediately.

To stay compliant, ensure all your documents are up to date and easily accessible in your car in case you're stopped by traffic or customs officers. You should also consider working with a registered clearing agent when entering Kenya, as they can help you secure the right permits and avoid unnecessary delays or penalties. 

Finally, if you’re planning to stay in Kenya longer than a year or indefinitely, consider permanent importation. This involves passing a KEBS inspection, paying the required import taxes, and registering the vehicle locally.