The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) raises alarm over the alleged removal of the Class “CD” endorsement from renewed driving licences, warning of arrests, detention, and potential disruption to petroleum transport across the region.
What is the CD Endorsement?
The Class CD licence endorsement is a critical authorisation that permits drivers to operate heavy commercial vehicles, including trucks and trailers, with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7,500 kg.
Most importantly, this endorsement is specifically required for transporting hazardous materials such as petroleum products, making it indispensable for Kenya’s fuel supply chain and regional cargo transport sector.
The Alleged Removal and Its Consequences
According to LoDDCA, the alleged removal of the CD endorsement from renewed driving licences is affecting drivers who previously held the endorsement and continue to operate heavy commercial vehicles.
The association has expressed serious concern that affected drivers could face enforcement disputes both within Kenya and at international borders if their renewed licences no longer show the endorsement they previously held.
In a statement, LoDDCA warned:
“Drivers must not be made to suffer arrests, detention, loss of income or disruption of their livelihoods because of unresolved regulatory changes or gaps between government agencies.”
Drivers’ Dilemma: A Regulatory Gap
The removal has created significant uncertainty for drivers, particularly those who hold valid professional certifications required to transport hazardous cargo. The association argues that drivers should not be penalised for regulatory changes that have not been clearly communicated or supported by a transition framework.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the re-testing requirement for commercial drivers—which applies to Class CD holders—has been a point of contention in recent years. In 2023, NTSA introduced mandatory re-testing every three years for drivers holding various endorsements, including CD, a policy that was met with resistance from driver lobbies and temporarily suspended.
Lobby’s Demands and Advice
LoDDCA is now seeking urgent engagement with:
- National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA)
- Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)
- Other relevant agencies
The goal is to establish the legal and operational implications of the change and find a resolution before livelihoods are disrupted.
In the meantime, the lobby has advised drivers renewing their licences to:
- Carefully check whether the CD endorsement appears on their new documents
- Retain copies or photographs of previous licences showing the endorsement
- Ensure their EPRA Petroleum Road Tanker Driver certificates remain valid
- Carry the EPRA certification whenever transporting petroleum products
Strike Threat: A Regional Risk
The association has warned that if the matter remains unresolved, it could pursue lawful collective action, including urging affected hazardous-cargo drivers to down their tools.
Such action could have severe consequences for Kenya’s economy and the wider East African region, which relies heavily on Kenya for bulk cargo transportation. Any disruption to the transportation of petroleum products and other hazardous cargo could lead to fuel shortages and supply chain disruptions across multiple countries.
Broader Context: Industry Tensions
This protest is the latest in a series of tensions between driver lobbies and regulatory authorities. In 2023, LoDDCA threatened to strike over NTSA’s mandatory re-testing directive, arguing that the requirement imposed a heavy financial burden on low-earning drivers.
The association has previously also raised concerns about corruption at NTSA and the exclusion of drivers from decision-making processes affecting their livelihoods.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on NTSA, EPRA, and the Transport Ministry to see whether they will respond to LoDDCA’s call for urgent engagement. The drivers’ lobby has made it clear that without a satisfactory resolution, industrial action remains a real possibility.
For now, thousands of long-distance drivers—and the industries that depend on them—are waiting for clarity on a regulatory issue that could have far-reaching consequences for Kenya’s economy and regional trade.