The fact that technology has over the years enabled us to save both time and money cannot be overstated. A few years back, when one wanted to renew their driving license (DL), they had to go to the nearest Kenya Revenue Authority office. Depending on where you lived some of these offices were quite a distance and don’t even talk about the winding lines one encountered when you got there. For example those living in places like Nyeri had to come all the way to Nairobi. This led to the emergence of brokers who for a small fee could hasten the process. The transport cost, kitu kidogo and the time taken to renew a driving license made the process both expensive and tiresome.
This changed for the better when banks and post offices started to renew the DL. It became both convenient and cheaper. At some point, banks stopped renewing the DL’s but at this time the service had started being offered on eCitizen and this according to me was the best thing ever. This is because one could be able to renew a DL from anywhere in the world and at any time of the day, all that one needed was a internet connection and a printer.
Here is how to go about renewing the DL on the eCitizen platform;
1. Step 1
For you to use the platform, you need to have registered on it which is a simple process. Once you log in, select the National Transport and Safety Authority option. After selecting the option, click on Make Application and it will open the tab below. Click on Driving Licenses.
2. Step 2
After clicking of the Driving Licenses option, you will get a couple of options as seen below. In this case, we want to renew a DL so we will select either option 4 for a one year renewal or option 5 for a 3 year renewal.
3. Step 3
In my case i always opt for the 3 year renewal option which i find to be more convenient. For the 3 year option, you will have to part with Ksh.1,400 plus a Ksh.50 convenience fee. A one year option will set you back Ksh.650. If you are okay with the charges click on Apply.
Step 4
Once you have clicked on Apply, you will be led to the next page where you are able to review your details. The eCitizen platform has access to all your details and the same will be populated for you. If you find that the details are okay hit the submit button, in the event that they are wrong click on the previous button that will take you to the page where you can find phone numbers that can enable you to liaise with customer care for corrections to be made.
Step 5
Once you click on Submit, you will be taken to a page where the various payment methods are indicated. Choose the one most convenient to you. In this case i chose Mpesa and was provided with the Paybill number and the account number to use. After you have received the SMS from Mpesa, click on complete transaction.
It is only after you have paid and the transaction completed that you will be prompted to print a slip that indicates that you have renewed your driving license. The whole process can take you less than 10 minutes so no one has an excuse to drive with an expired DL.