The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has intensified boda boda rider training and licensing programs in 2025 as part of a broader effort to reduce motorcycle-related road accidents and improve compliance. Motorcycles remain one of the fastest-growing transport modes, but they also account for a rising share of road crashes and fatalities. NTSA’s approach now focuses on training, testing, and licensing untrained riders, rather than enforcement alone. Why NTSA Is Targeting Boda Boda Riders Over the past decade, motorcycle-related accidents have increased significantly, largely due to untrained riders, lack of proper licensing, and poor road safety awareness. NTSA’s 2025 strategy prioritizes: Formal rider training Testing and certification Issuance of Smart Driving Licences (Smart DL) Behaviour change through safety sensitization This shift aims to professionalize the boda boda sector while improving safety for riders, passengers, and other road users. How the NTSA Boda Boda Training Program Works Under the 2025 initiative, NTSA partners with local institutions and government agencies to identify unlicensed or partially trained riders. Selected riders undergo: Basic motorcycle riding skills training Highway Code and traffic law education Road safety and first-aid awareness Riding tests conducted by NTSA examiners Riders who pass the assessments are issued with Smart Driving Licences, officially authorizing them to operate on public roads Smart Driving Licence Issuance for Riders The Smart DL is a secure, digital driving licence that replaces the old paper-based system. It enhances: Rider identification License authenticity Enforcement efficiency By issuing Smart DLs directly after training and testing, NTSA ensures that newly licensed boda boda riders enter the road network fully compliant. Road Safety Sensitization and Outreach Beyond licensing, NTSA has conducted widespread road safety outreach targeting boda boda riders across multiple regions. These campaigns focus on: Helmet use and protective gear Speed control Alcohol and drug awareness Passenger safety In February 2025 alone, NTSA reached hundreds of thousands of road users through sensitization programs, reinforcing safe riding behaviour What This Means for Riders and the Transport Sector For boda boda riders, the program offers a clear legal pathway to licensing, improved credibility, and safer operations. Licensed riders face fewer disruptions, avoid penalties, and gain customer trust. For the transport sector, formal rider training contributes to: Reduced accidents and fatalities Better compliance with traffic laws Improved data on licensed riders A more professional motorcycle transport industry