Transporting petrol, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum products by road is not ordinary commercial transportation.
Because petroleum products present significant fire, environmental, road-safety and public-health risks, Kenya has a specific regulatory framework governing the businesses, vehicles and drivers involved in petroleum transportation.
If you operate a fuel tanker, plan to start a petroleum transportation business, lease tankers to transport petroleum products, or employ drivers to operate petroleum road tankers, understanding the applicable requirements is essential.
This guide explains the petroleum transport regulations in Kenya, including the petroleum road transportation business licence, petroleum tanker permit, driver certification, application requirements, safety obligations, journey planning, parking, tracking and compliance responsibilities.
Important: Petroleum regulations and administrative requirements may be updated from time to time. Always confirm the applicable requirements with the regulator before submitting an application or commencing operations.
What Are Petroleum Transport Regulations in Kenya?
Petroleum transport regulations are the rules governing the safe and lawful movement of petroleum products from one location to another.
In Kenya, the regulatory framework covers areas such as:
- Licensing of petroleum transportation businesses
- Petroleum tanker permits
- Petroleum road tanker driver certification
- Vehicle inspection and technical compliance
- Tank calibration
- Fire safety
- Emergency preparedness
- Journey planning
- Tanker tracking
- Designated tanker parking
- Loading and unloading
- Accident and incident reporting
- Environmental protection
- Petroleum product handling
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is the principal regulator for petroleum business licensing under the Petroleum Act.
The current framework is established particularly through the Petroleum (Licensing of Petroleum Road Transportation Business) (No. 2) Regulations, 2025.
Who Needs a Petroleum Transport Licence in Kenya?
A person or company conducting a petroleum road transportation business must obtain the applicable petroleum road transportation business licence.
The regulations define petroleum road transportation business broadly around transporting petroleum or refined petroleum products by road.
This can include businesses such as:
- Fuel transportation companies
- Petroleum logistics companies
- Tanker fleet operators
- Petroleum wholesalers transporting their products
- Independent petroleum tanker operators
- Companies contracted to transport petroleum products
- Businesses transporting petroleum products for commercial purposes
However, there is an important distinction between the transport business, the tanker and the driver.
The Three Approvals You Should Not Confuse
One of the most important things to understand about petroleum transport compliance is that there is not simply one document covering everything.
1. Petroleum Road Transportation Business Licence
This applies to the business/operator conducting petroleum road transportation.
2. Petroleum Road Tanker Permit
This applies to the petroleum tanker/vehicle being used to transport petroleum.
3. Petroleum Road Tanker Driver Certificate
This applies to the driver operating a petroleum road tanker.
Therefore:
Licensed business + permitted tanker + certified driver = core petroleum road transport compliance
Having an ordinary commercial vehicle licence does not replace the petroleum-specific approvals.
Petroleum Transport Regulations in Kenya: Key Requirements
The Petroleum Act requires persons transporting petroleum in bulk to operate safely and requires vehicles transporting petroleum in bulk to have the applicable petroleum permit.
It also requires drivers transporting petroleum in bulk by tanker to be certified for that purpose.
The regulations provide a more detailed framework for implementing these requirements.
For businesses applying for the petroleum road transportation business licence, EPRA’s current application guide lists documentation including:
- Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration Certificate
- Current CR12
- Directors’ identification documents
- Applicable work permits for foreign directors
- KRA Tax Compliance Certificate
- Valid motor vehicle inspection certificate for each prime mover and trailer
- Logbook for each prime mover and trailer
- Valid lease agreement where applicable
- Paired list of prime movers and trailers
- Fire certificate for each vehicle
- Tank calibration certificate for each trailer
- Summary Highway Emergency Response Plan
- County Single Business Permit
The exact documents should always be checked against the current EPRA application requirements before submission.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Petroleum Transport Licence in Kenya
Step 1: Register Your Business
Start by ensuring that the transport business is properly registered.
Depending on your business structure, this may involve:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business Registration Certificate
- Current CR12
- Directors’ identification documents
Make sure the company information is consistent across your statutory and vehicle documents.
Inconsistencies in company names, ownership information or vehicle records can create avoidable problems during the application process.
Step 2: Obtain a KRA Tax Compliance Certificate
A valid KRA Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) is part of the EPRA application requirements for petroleum road transportation.
Before applying, ensure that your company’s tax records are in order and that the TCC remains valid.
Step 3: Secure Your Operating Premises
The petroleum transport business should have identifiable premises from which the business operates.
EPRA’s application requirements include a valid Single Business Permit for the premises from the relevant county government.
The business should also consider whether it has an appropriate location for tanker operations and parking.
Step 4: Prepare Your Petroleum Tankers
Every tanker used for petroleum transportation must meet the applicable technical and regulatory requirements.
For the EPRA business licence application, the current guide requires documentation relating to the vehicles, including:
- Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificates
- Logbooks
- Lease agreements where applicable
- Tank calibration certificates
- Fire certificates
The tanker should also have the applicable petroleum tanker permit before it is used for petroleum transportation.
Step 5: Obtain the Petroleum Tanker Permit
A petroleum road tanker cannot legally operate without the applicable petroleum tanker permit.
The 2025 regulations specifically prohibit operating a petroleum tanker without a valid petroleum tanker permit.
The regulations provide for an application process, supporting documentation, an environmental liability policy and payment of the prescribed regulatory fee.
A successful application is to be processed within 30 days, and the permit is valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
This is separate from the business licence.
Therefore, a company may have a valid petroleum road transportation business licence while an individual tanker in its fleet still requires its own valid permit.
Step 6: Ensure the Driver Has the Required Certification
Petroleum tanker drivers are subject to specific certification requirements.
A person operating a petroleum road tanker must hold the applicable Petroleum Road Tanker Driver Certificate issued by EPRA.
The requirement exists because transporting petroleum involves risks that are different from ordinary heavy-goods transportation.
The driver needs to understand matters such as:
- Petroleum hazards
- Safe tanker operation
- Loading and unloading
- Emergency response
- Fire prevention
- Spill response
- Journey planning
- Safe parking
- Vehicle inspection
- Handling incidents
Companies should verify both the driver’s ordinary driving credentials and petroleum-specific certification before assigning petroleum tanker duties.
Step 7: Prepare an Emergency Response Plan
Petroleum transport businesses should not wait until an accident occurs before thinking about emergency response.
EPRA’s current application requirements include a summary Highway Emergency Response Plan.
The plan should provide a structured response framework for incidents such as:
- Vehicle fires
- Petroleum spills
- Tanker collisions
- Product leaks
- Road accidents
- Exposure to petroleum products
- Environmental contamination
- Other transport emergencies
The plan should also identify appropriate communication and response arrangements.
Step 8: Apply Through the EPRA Licensing Portal
EPRA’s petroleum licensing process is conducted online.
For the petroleum road transportation business licence, the general process is:
- Create an account on the EPRA licensing portal.
- Open License Management.
- Select New Licence Application.
- Select Transport of Petroleum Products (Except LPG) by Road.
- Read and accept the applicable licence conditions.
- Enter the required company and operational information.
- Upload the required documents.
- Review the application.
- Submit the application.
- Monitor the application for regulatory communication.
A complete application should be supported by clear and valid documents.
How Long Does the Petroleum Transport Licence Take?
Under the current 2025 regulations, EPRA is required to issue a successful petroleum road transportation business licence within 30 days after application.
If an application is rejected, the regulations provide for notification of the reasons for rejection within seven days of the rejection.
The licence is valid for 24 months from its date of issue under the current regulations.
Renewal applications should be made at least 30 days before the licence expires.
This is an important change to keep in mind when relying on older petroleum transport information published online.
Does Each Tanker Need a Separate Permit?
Yes.
The business licence and tanker permit perform different regulatory functions.
The business licence authorises the petroleum road transportation business, while the tanker permit relates to the specific petroleum tanker.
Therefore, adding a new tanker to a fleet should trigger a compliance review to ensure the vehicle has the required documentation and permit before it is deployed.
For leased vehicles, the relevant ownership and lease documentation should also be maintained.
Petroleum Tanker Tracking Requirements
Tracking is an important part of petroleum transportation oversight.
The current regulations provide for tracking of petroleum tankers.
Tracking systems can support:
- Route monitoring
- Fleet management
- Emergency response
- Investigation of incidents
- Journey monitoring
- Security
- Regulatory oversight
A transporter should ensure that its tracking arrangements meet the applicable regulatory requirements and that required information can be made available to the Authority.
Journey Plans and Petroleum Transportation
Journey planning is another important compliance requirement.
The current regulations provide for journey plans, and petroleum transport operators are required to comply with the applicable journey plan established for the petroleum product being transported.
A proper journey plan should help manage risks associated with:
- Route selection
- Driver fatigue
- Traffic conditions
- Security
- Emergency response
- Rest points
- Fuel loading and delivery locations
- Unexpected delays
Petroleum transportation should therefore be treated as a controlled logistics operation rather than simply a truck moving from one location to another.
Petroleum Tanker Parking Requirements in Kenya
Tanker parking is also regulated.
The current regulations provide that petroleum road tankers should be parked only in designated areas.
Where a transporter develops its own exclusive tanker parking area, the facility should be designed to minimise impacts on safety, health and the environment.
The regulations also prohibit parking a petroleum road tanker within 100 metres of a residential area.
This makes tanker parking an important consideration when establishing a petroleum transport business.
Pre-Loading Vehicle Inspection
Petroleum transportation safety begins before the tanker leaves the loading facility.
The current regulatory framework requires pre-loading vehicle inspections.
The inspection process should help identify defects or unsafe conditions before petroleum is loaded.
Depending on the operation, checks can cover:
- Tyres
- Braking systems
- Lights
- Electrical systems
- Tank condition
- Valves
- Hoses
- Fire equipment
- Emergency equipment
- Reflective markings
- Documentation
- Tracking systems
- General vehicle condition
A transporter should maintain appropriate inspection records as part of its safety management system.
Loading and Unloading Petroleum Products
Loading and unloading are among the highest-risk activities in petroleum transportation.
Operators should ensure that petroleum products are handled only through authorised and compliant facilities.
Transporters should also follow:
- Loading procedures
- Product identification procedures
- Emergency procedures
- Vehicle inspection procedures
- Site safety rules
- Product documentation requirements
- Journey plans
- Delivery procedures
Petroleum should not simply be loaded into a tanker and transported to any destination.
The transporter must operate within the applicable licensing and supply-chain framework.
Environmental Compliance in Petroleum Transportation
Petroleum transportation creates environmental risks, particularly in the event of:
- Tanker accidents
- Product spills
- Leaks
- Fires
- Improper disposal
- Contaminated runoff
The Petroleum Act requires persons transporting petroleum to institute measures to ensure that transportation is safe.
It also provides environmental responsibilities relating to incidents involving petroleum transportation.
The current road transport regulations require an environment liability policy as part of the application process.
A strong petroleum transport compliance system should therefore include:
- Spill prevention
- Emergency preparedness
- Spill-response procedures
- Incident reporting
- Environmental protection
- Staff training
- Proper waste management
- Periodic compliance reviews
What Happens If a Petroleum Transport Accident Occurs?
Petroleum transport operators must have a clear process for dealing with accidents and incidents.
The current regulations provide for reporting of qualifying accidents and incidents to the Authority.
The regulations specify circumstances including loss of life or permanent total disability, significant property or environmental damage, oil spills of at least 100 litres, accidental gas releases of at least 100 kilograms, and certain fires or explosions.
The applicable report is required within 48 hours for incidents meeting the regulatory threshold.
The regulations also provide for investigation of reported accidents and incidents.
For a petroleum transporter, this means incident management should form part of normal operations rather than being developed after an accident.
Common Petroleum Transport Compliance Mistakes
1. Assuming an ordinary truck licence is enough
Petroleum transportation has additional regulatory requirements.
2. Operating a tanker without its petroleum permit
The business licence does not replace the tanker permit.
3. Using a driver without petroleum tanker certification
The driver must meet the applicable petroleum-specific certification requirements.
4. Allowing documents to expire
Inspection certificates, calibration certificates, fire certificates, licences and permits should be tracked systematically.
5. Poor tanker maintenance
A compliant licence does not make an unsafe vehicle safe.
Vehicle condition must be continuously managed.
6. Ignoring journey planning
Fuel transportation requires controlled routing and journey management.
7. Poor emergency preparedness
An emergency response plan should be operational, understood and periodically tested.
8. Parking tankers in unsuitable locations
Tanker parking has specific regulatory and safety considerations.
9. Treating licensing as a one-time activity
Petroleum transport compliance is continuous.
Licences, permits, driver certificates, inspections, calibration and safety systems all need ongoing management.
Petroleum Transport Compliance Checklist
Before operating a petroleum road transport business, confirm that you have:
Business
- Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration
- Current CR12
- Directors’ identification documents
- KRA Tax Compliance Certificate
- County Single Business Permit
- Environmental liability policy
- Petroleum road transportation business licence
Vehicles
- Vehicle logbooks
- Valid motor vehicle inspection certificates
- Tank calibration certificates
- Fire certificates
- Petroleum tanker permits
- Required vehicle safety equipment
- Required tracking system
- Appropriate identification and reflective markings
Drivers
- Appropriate driving licence
- Petroleum road tanker driver certificate
- Required training and competency documentation
- Appropriate medical/fitness documentation where applicable
Operations
- Highway Emergency Response Plan
- Journey plans
- Pre-loading inspection procedures
- Incident reporting procedures
- Emergency response arrangements
- Designated tanker parking
- Vehicle maintenance programme
- Licence and certificate expiry tracking
How Much Does Petroleum Transport Licensing Cost in Kenya?
Cost should be considered in several parts rather than as one licence fee.
An operator may incur costs associated with:
- Business registration
- EPRA licensing and permits
- Vehicle inspection
- Tank calibration
- Fire certification
- County business permits
- Driver certification
- Training
- Insurance
- Environmental compliance
- Tracking systems
- Emergency-response preparedness
- Tanker acquisition or leasing
- Vehicle maintenance
The current 2025 regulations expressly provide for fees for the licence, tanker permit and driver certificate through the Third Schedule.
Because fees and administrative requirements can change, applicants should verify the applicable charges on the current EPRA system before budgeting or making payment.
How Gasic Ventures Can Support Petroleum Transport Compliance
Petroleum transport compliance involves more than filling out an online application.
The business, tanker, driver, operating premises and safety systems all need to work together.
Gasic Ventures can support petroleum and gas businesses with services such as:
- Petroleum licensing consultancy
- Petroleum transport licence application support
- Tanker compliance support
- Petroleum regulatory compliance assessment
- Permit and approval support
- Documentation review
- Compliance gap assessments
- Regulatory follow-up
- Petroleum project advisory
- Safety and regulatory documentation support
The goal is to help businesses understand the regulatory pathway, prepare properly and maintain compliance throughout their operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What licence is required to transport petroleum by road in Kenya?
A business conducting petroleum road transportation requires the applicable petroleum road transportation business licence issued by EPRA.
Does every petroleum tanker need a permit?
Yes. The current regulations require a petroleum tanker permit before operating a petroleum tanker.
Does a petroleum tanker driver need special certification?
Yes. A person operating a petroleum road tanker must have the applicable petroleum road tanker driver’s certificate.
How long is the petroleum road transport business licence valid?
Under the current 2025 regulations, the licence is valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
How long is a petroleum tanker permit valid?
The current regulations provide for a tanker permit validity period of 24 months.
How long does EPRA take to process the licence?
The current regulations provide for a successful petroleum road transportation business licence to be issued within 30 days after application.
Can I transport petroleum using a leased tanker?
A leased tanker may be used subject to meeting the applicable regulatory requirements and providing the required lease and vehicle documentation.
Can a petroleum transport company park its tanker anywhere?
No. Petroleum road tankers are subject to designated-parking requirements, including restrictions concerning residential areas.
Does petroleum transport compliance apply to LPG?
Not necessarily under this specific framework. LPG transportation has separate licensing categories and requirements. Businesses transporting LPG should confirm the applicable LPG transport licence and safety requirements.
Final Thoughts
Petroleum transportation is a critical part of Kenya’s energy supply chain, but it is also a high-risk activity that requires strong regulatory and safety controls.
Understanding the difference between the petroleum road transportation business licence, tanker permit and driver certificate is one of the first steps toward compliance.
A properly managed petroleum transport operation should combine:
Licensing + vehicle compliance + driver certification + journey planning + emergency preparedness + environmental protection + continuous monitoring.
For businesses entering petroleum logistics, taking care of these requirements before operations begin can help reduce regulatory delays, operational disruptions and avoidable safety risks.
Need Petroleum Transport Licensing Support?
Gasic Ventures provides petroleum and gas consultancy in Kenya, including licensing, permits, compliance support, regulatory approvals and petroleum project advisory.
Phone: 0768 000 942
Email: info@gasicventures.co.ke
Website: gasicventures.co.ke
Gasic Ventures — Practical Petroleum & Gas Regulatory Support.
