Rogue and careless drivers will now face automatic deductions on their merit points for every traffic violation they commit, as the government rolls out second-generation smart driving licenses. The Cabinet has approved the rollout of these advanced licenses in a bid to modernize the country’s transport system and improve road safety.
According to a Cabinet dispatch released on Monday, December 15, the licenses will be implemented through a public–private partnership (PPP). The new smart licenses will integrate an instant fines system, a mobile license wallet, and a merit-and-demerit points system to track driver behavior.
“The Cabinet approved the rollout of Second-Generation Smart Driving Licences under a public–private partnership, integrating smart licences with an instant fines system, mobile licence wallet and driver merit and demerit points to enhance road safety and modernise licensing,” the dispatch read.
The second-generation license is a chip-based card designed to store driver data and history, enable digital payments, and maintain a record of violations. The cards also feature enhanced security, an electronic wallet, and mobile app access, which will improve enforcement management and road safety monitoring.
This announcement comes a month after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed it will enforce mandatory retests for drivers flagged by the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS), a move that could result in some losing their licenses.
The IRSMS is a digital platform that tracks vehicles- including PSVs and commercial fleets -monitoring driver conduct, speed, braking habits, and route adherence. It issues real-time alerts whenever violations such as speeding or reckless overtaking occur.
NTSA Director General Angela Wanjira said in a statement on Sunday, November 16, that the retests are critical to preventing accidents during the festive season. By analyzing violations and generating alerts, the system enables the NTSA to target offending drivers for retraining, improving overall road safety across the country.