Kenya NTSA Commercial Driving Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Stop sign

Red octagon with white STOP lettering. A complete stop at the stop line is compulsory even when the road appears clear; a rolling stop is an offence.

Give Way sign

Inverted triangle. Slow down and yield to traffic on the major road, stopping only if necessary. Unlike a STOP sign, a full stop is not always required.

Mandatory blue circle signs

Blue circular signs give mandatory instructions such as keep left, turn left ahead, minimum speed or designated routes. Disobeying them is a traffic offence.

Solid white centre line

A continuous white line that must not be crossed or straddled. Overtaking is prohibited. Double solid lines prohibit crossing from either direction.

Zebra crossing priority

Broad white stripes across the road. Pedestrians on the crossing have absolute priority; stop before it and never overtake a vehicle stopped at one.

Amber traffic light

Amber alone means stop unless it is unsafe to do so. Amber with a green arrow permits movement in the arrow direction only.

Left-hand traffic rule

Kenya drives on the left. At uncontrolled junctions give way to traffic from your right, and to vehicles already on the main road when joining from a minor road.

Roundabout priority

Give way to traffic already circulating, which approaches from your right. Signal left to exit and do not change lanes on the circulatory carriageway.

Two-second following rule

Pick a fixed object; if you reach it before counting two seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it, you are too close. Use four seconds in rain or at night.

Engine braking on descents

Select a low gear on long downhill sections to control speed with engine braking. Never coast in neutral; continuous pedal braking causes brake fade.

ABS braking technique

With ABS, apply firm continuous pedal pressure and steer; do not pump the pedal. ABS prevents wheel lock but does not shorten stopping distance on all surfaces.

Reversing a long vehicle

Use a banksman where available, reverse slowly, and check both sides and behind. The rear of a long vehicle swings out opposite to the steering direction.

Space cushion

A safety gap ahead, beside and behind the vehicle. If a tailgater closes behind, increase your own following distance so you can brake gently.

Hazard perception sequence

Identify the hazard, decide the safe action, and act early. Late decisions force harsh braking and increase collision risk, especially in a laden vehicle.

Boda-boda awareness

Motorcycle taxis filter, change lanes unpredictably and are hard to see. Check blind spots twice, give them room, and do not linger alongside them.

Tyre tread legal minimum

The legal minimum tread depth in Kenya is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread. No cuts exposing cords and no regrooved passenger tyres.

Daily walk-around check

A pre-trip inspection covering tyres, wheels, lights, mirrors, wipers, horn, fluids, leaks, brakes, load security and documents before the vehicle is used.

Defect reporting duty

Any defect affecting safety must be recorded and reported to the operator before the vehicle is used. A vehicle with a dangerous defect must not be driven.

PSV capacity limit

Passengers must not exceed the licensed seating or standing capacity. Overloading is an offence and can void insurance cover for the excess passengers.

Load weight distribution

Keep the heaviest items low and centred over the axles. An uneven load reduces steering and braking stability and can exceed axle weight ratings.

Projecting load marking

Loads projecting beyond the vehicle must be marked and, where required, flagged. Long loads need proper support and warning to other road users at night.

Compulsory third-party insurance

Third-party insurance is compulsory for every motor vehicle used on a road. Driving uninsured is an offence and the owner may also be liable.

Accident reporting duty

Stop, render assistance, exchange details, and report to the nearest police station within 24 hours where there is injury, death or damage to property or an animal.

Warning triangle placement

Place a warning triangle behind the vehicle on the same side as the traffic flow, further back on fast roads or at night, and stand clear of the carriageway.

Tyre blowout response

Grip the wheel firmly, do not brake hard, ease off the accelerator, let the vehicle slow, then steer to a safe stop. Sudden braking can cause a spin.

Kenya emergency numbers

Dial 999 or 112 for police, fire and ambulance. Give the exact location, number of casualties, hazards such as fuel or fire, and a call-back number.

DRABC primary survey

Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Check danger to yourself first, then responsiveness and breathing, and call for help early.

Adult CPR ratio

Give 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths. Compressions are about 5 to 6 cm deep at 100 to 120 per minute, continuing until help arrives.

Severe bleeding control

Apply direct pressure with a clean dressing and elevate if possible. Do not remove an embedded object; pad around it and secure the dressing.

Kenya blood alcohol limit

The legal maximum is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, equivalent to 0.08 percent. Driving above it is an offence and any alcohol impairs judgement.

Fatigue break rule

Take a break at least every two hours of driving, and stop immediately at the first signs of yawning, heavy eyes, drifting or poor concentration.

Medical fitness declaration

Epilepsy, uncontrolled diabetes, severe visual impairment and certain heart conditions must be declared. They may restrict or end a driver's licensing.