Smart driving licence suspension: What is next?
By William Muthama, June 6, 2026The suspension of Kenya’s planned second-generation Smart Driving Licence (SDL) system has left many motorists asking one question: what happens now?
The short answer is that nothing changes immediately for drivers. While the Kerugoya High Court has temporarily halted the rollout of the upgraded smart licence and instant fine system, the current Smart Driving Licence, demerit points framework and traffic enforcement rules remain fully operational.
For motorists, the focus now shifts from the court battle to understanding how the decision affects daily driving and what to expect in the coming weeks.
Why was the system suspended?
The judge ordered the suspension of the partnership covering the design, supply, delivery, installation and maintenance of smart driving licences, the automated fines system and related services.
According to court documents, the petitioner argued that the project lacked an adequate data protetion framework despite relying on motorists’ biometric data, which is considered sensitive personal information.
The petition also questioned whether the project complied with constitutional and statutory requirements governing public-private partnerships.
The challenge further arose after NTSA announced that the instant fines system, a key component of the project, would take effect from June 1, 2026.
Petitioners argued that allowing the rollout to proceed before the issues raised in court were determined could lead to violations of motorists’ constitutional rights, including the right to privacy.
Your current licence remains valid
If you already hold a Smart Driving Licence, you can continue using it as normal.
The suspension only affects the proposed second-generation licence that was scheduled to be introduced from June 1, 2026.
Existing licences remain valid, and drivers do not need to apply for a new card or make any additional payments.
Under the suspended plan, motorists would have been required to pay Ksh3,050 for the new-generation Smart Driving Licence, replacing the current card-based system with an upgraded version linked to a wider digital enforcement network.
Similarly, the current demerit points system remains in force.
Under the existing framework, drivers begin with 20 demerit points. Points are deducted for traffic offences, with serious violations attracting higher deductions. Drivers who exhaust their points or repeatedly commit serious offences risk having their licences suspended by NTSA.
Instant fines put on hold
One of the biggest changes motorists were expecting was the introduction of an automated instant fines system.
The project included the deployment of 1,000 traffic cameras, comprising 700 fixed cameras and 300 mobile cameras, across major roads and highways.
The cameras would automatically detect offences such as speeding and other traffic violations before issuing instant fines linked directly to a driver’s licence profile through SMS notifications.
With the court suspension, the rollout of the cameras and the automated fines infrastructure has been put on hold.
This means motorists will continue operating under the current enforcement framework while awaiting further directions from the court.
What drivers should do now
Despite the suspension, all existing road safety regulations remain in force.
Motorists should continue checking their licence status and demerit points through NTSA platforms and ensure any outstanding penalties are cleared promptly.
Drivers whose licences have already been suspended must still comply with reinstatement requirements, including refresher training, retesting where applicable and formal reinstatement procedures.
Importantly, the court order does not cancel any penalties, fines or licence suspensions already issued under the current system.
What happens next?
The case is scheduled for mention on June 21, 2026, when the court will issue further directions.
The court could ultimately allow the project to proceed, require amendments to its implementation, or order a fresh procurement process before it can be rolled out.
For motorists, however, the immediate future remains largely unchanged.
The current Smart Driving Licence system continues to operate, demerit points remain active, and drivers are still expected to comply with traffic laws.
The only difference is that the proposed Ksh3,050 licence upgrade, automated traffic cameras and instant fines system will remain on hold until the legal questions surrounding the project are resolved.