Kenya: New standard DKS 1515: 2025 Road vehicles — Inspection of road vehicles

 

Kenya has published a new standard for the inspection of road vehicles.

The Draft Kenya Standard specifies general, safety, technical and environmental requirements for road vehicles and includes inspection schedule for road vehicles. This standard applies to all categories of road vehicles as specified in KS ISO 3833. The standard also applies to inspection of road vehicles as per the Traffic Act, Cap. 403 of the Laws of Kenya.

Other relevant documents referred to in the standard are:

• KS 372, Road vehicles — Passenger vehicle body construction — Specification
• KS ISO 3779, Road vehicles — Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• KS ISO 3780, Road vehicles — World manufacturer identifier (WMI) code
• KS ISO 3833, Road vehicles — Types, terms and definitions
• Traffic Act, Cap. 403 of the Laws of Kenya.
• ARS 1357, Vehicle test station evaluation – Code of practice
• ARS 1355-1, Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — Part 1 Roadworthiness of vehicles already in use
• ARS 1355-2, Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — Part 2 Roadworthiness prior to entry into service & thereafter
• ARS 1355-3, Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — Part 3 Roadworthiness — supporting information
• ARS 1355-4, Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — Part 4 Roadworthiness — Requirements for vehicle examiners
• ARS 1355-5, Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — Part 5 Roadworthiness — Requirements for testing equipment
• ARS 1355-6, Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — Part 6 Roadworthiness — Requirements for roadside assessment of vehicles
• ARS 1379, Definitions and classifications of power-driven vehicles and trailers
• KS EAS 1047 Air quality — Vehicular exhaust emission limits
• ARS 1595, Vehicle homologation – All Categories Revision

Safety requirements

Road vehicles already in use shall be inspected for safety requirements in accordance with ARS 1355-1.

Used road vehicles prior to the date of entry into service and thereafter when operating on a public road shall be inspected for safety requirements in accordance with ARS 1355-2.

Environmental and technical requirements

New vehicles

All new diesel powered, and petrol (gasoline) powered vehicles shall be type-approved to meet the requirements of Euro IV/4 and above in accordance with ARS 1595.

Vehicles already in use

Vehicles already in use shall meet the technical requirement in accordance with ARS 1355-1.

Used road vehicles prior to entry into service shall meet the requirement of ARS 1355 -2 except for emission requirement which shall be in accordance with KS EAS 1047.

All used electrical vehicles installed batteries shall have a battery life of not less than 80% .

To find out more about automotive regulations in Africa, please do not hesitate to contact the Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research.