Kenya NTSA Commercial Driving Test study plan
Kenya NTSA Commercial Driving Test · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Traffic Signs, Road Markings and Signals
Classify every Kenyan regulatory, warning and informatory sign type by shape and colour, and state the required driver action for each
Recite the meaning of the core road markings (continuous and broken lines, box junctions, hatched areas, yellow kerb lines, stop lines) without referring to notes
Interpret police and traffic-officer hand signals, traffic-light sequences including flashing amber and filter arrows, and state who must yield in each case
Build a personal flashcard set of at least 60 signs and markings you find difficult, sorted by failure reason
Your checkpoint
Score 85% or higher on a self-made 50-item signs, markings and signals quiz written from your own notes, with every wrong answer re-explained in one sentence
Traffic Signs, Road Markings and Signals & Traffic Rules and Right-of-Way
Apply right-of-way rules at uncontrolled junctions, roundabouts, T-junctions, and where a major road meets a minor road
Explain overtaking rules, including where overtaking is prohibited and the meaning of the continuous centre line in that context
Describe speed-limit rules for built-up areas, highways and special zones, and state when a lower safe speed overrides the posted limit
Sequence the correct actions at pedestrian crossings, school zones and railway level crossings
Your checkpoint
Complete 40 right-of-way and rules scenario questions and produce a one-page decision tree covering junction, roundabout and crossing situations
Traffic Rules and Right-of-Way & Vehicle Controls and Safe Driving Technique
Demonstrate the pre-drive cockpit drill (seat, mirrors, belts, controls check) and describe each step in the order you would perform it
Explain clutch, gear, brake and steering control for smooth pulling away, hill starts and safe stopping in a heavy or manual commercial vehicle
Describe correct mirror use, blind-spot checks, signalling timing and lane positioning before every manoeuvre
Identify the causes of skidding and describe corrective steering and braking technique for wet and loose surfaces
Your checkpoint
Write a step-by-step checklist for pulling away, hill start, lane change and emergency stop, then rehearse each aloud until you can deliver all four from memory in under five minutes
Road Safety and Defensive Driving & Vehicle Controls and Safe Driving Technique
Apply the defensive driving system of observation, anticipation, space cushion and escape route to at least ten narrated hazard scenarios
Calculate and explain safe following distances at 50, 80 and 100 km/h in dry and wet conditions
Identify the top collision causes on Kenyan roads (overtaking errors, speeding, distracted driving, pedestrian conflict) and state the countermeasure for each
Describe how vehicle size, load and braking distance change your following distance and gap acceptance as a commercial driver
Your checkpoint
Pass a 60-question mixed mock exam covering domains 1 to 4 with at least 80%, and list every missed item with its correct rule
Commercial Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection and Vehicle Condition
Perform and narrate a full pre-trip inspection covering tyres and tread, brakes and air pressure, lights, fluids, belts, mirrors, wipers, coupling and load security
State the legal and safety consequences of driving with defective tyres, brakes, lights or an insecure load
Identify dashboard warning symbols and state the correct driver response for each
Describe daily and weekly vehicle-condition checks a commercial operator must record and retain
Your checkpoint
Produce a signed, dated pre-trip inspection checklist of at least 25 items and complete three timed walk-around inspections, each finished in under 15 minutes with no missed item
Passenger and Cargo Safety (PSV and Goods Transport) & Commercial Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection and Vehicle Condition
Apply PSV rules on passenger capacity, standing passengers, seat belts, boarding and alighting safety, and conduct toward passengers
Explain goods-vehicle loading rules: axle and gross weight limits, load distribution, lashing, overhang marking and dangerous-goods precautions
Describe the actions a driver must take after a load shift, passenger injury or on-board emergency
Explain how overloading affects braking, steering, tyre failure risk and stopping distance
Your checkpoint
Create a two-page load and passenger safety reference covering capacity, securing, weight limits and emergency actions, and explain it aloud in under ten minutes
Kenya Traffic Act, Licensing and Operator Obligations & Driver Fitness, Fatigue, Alcohol and Drug Rules
Outline the licensing requirements and categories relevant to commercial driving, including medical fitness, renewal and endorsement conditions
State the key driver obligations under the Traffic Act on documents carried, insurance, accident reporting and obedience to police directions
Explain alcohol limits and drug rules, and describe how fatigue, illness and medication affect fitness to drive
Describe the penalties and licence consequences for major offences such as speeding, dangerous driving and driving under the influence
Your checkpoint
Produce a one-page legal obligations and fitness summary covering documents, alcohol and drug rules, fatigue signs and reporting duties, scoring at least 80% on a 30-item self-test on domains 7 and 9
Emergency Procedures, First Aid and Incident Response & Road Safety and Defensive Driving
Sequence the correct response at a crash scene: scene safety, warning other traffic, casualty assessment, calling for help and not moving injured casualties unnecessarily
Demonstrate basic first aid for bleeding, unconscious casualty recovery position, burns and suspected fractures
Describe fire, tyre blowout and brake failure responses for a commercial vehicle, including evacuation of passengers
Run three full timed mock exams across all nine domains and review every error
Your checkpoint
Complete three timed 100-question mock exams, scoring at least 85% in each, with a written error log showing the corrected rule for every missed question
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 85% on a 50-item signs, markings and signals quiz and correctly explain right-of-way at roundabouts, T-junctions and pedestrian crossings without notes
Week 4: Pass a 60-question mixed mock exam on domains 1 to 4 with at least 80%, and demonstrate the pre-drive cockpit drill and emergency stop procedure from memory
Week 6: Complete a full narrated pre-trip inspection with no missed items in under 15 minutes and explain PSV capacity and goods loading limits accurately
Week 8: Score at least 85% on three consecutive timed 100-question mock exams covering all nine domains, with an error log showing corrected rules for every miss