Yes, a matatu loan is the same as Public Service Vehicle financing. Depending on the approved vehicle category, PSV financing may cover a 14 seater, minibus, bus or another passenger transport vehicle. The vehicle, applicant, SACCO arrangements and intended use must meet DTB requirements.

Eligible individuals and SACCO members with a verifiable source of repayment can apply. DTB will assess your identity documents, bank statements, existing credit commitments, repayment history, SACCO introduction, proposed vehicle, intended use and supporting documents before making a credit decision.

Yes. An eligible individual SACCO member may apply and should provide the required personal documents, bank statements, vehicle invoice or sale agreement, completed Hire Purchase application form and a letter from the SACCO. Approval remains subject to DTB credit appraisal and verification of the proposed PSV.

No. DTB states that PSV Financing is available to both DTB and non-DTB customers. A non-DTB applicant should provide the latest eight months of certified bank statements and complete DTB customer onboarding, KYC and credit-assessment requirements.

DTB can assess qualifying new and used vehicles intended for an approved public passenger transport purpose. This may include matatus, vans, minibuses and buses, depending on the vehicle type, passenger capacity, age, condition, valuation, licensing pathway, insurance class and DTB product rules. Confirm eligibility before paying a non-refundable deposit.

Yes. The published product terms provide financing for qualifying new and used Public Service Vehicles. New vehicles may receive up to 80% financing over up to 48 months, while qualifying used vehicles may receive up to 70% financing over up to 36 months, subject to credit appraisal.

Based on the published maximum financing percentages, an applicant may need to contribute at least 20% of the approved value for a new vehicle or at least 30% for a used vehicle. A larger contribution may be required after appraisal, and purchase-related costs may not all be included in the financed amount.

The PSV page does not publish a fixed minimum or maximum shilling amount. The approved facility depends on the vehicle value, the applicable financing percentage, DTB lending limits, your existing obligations and verified repayment capacity. Confirm the amount available before committing to a purchase.

The published repayment period is up to 48 months for a qualifying new Public Service Vehicle and up to 36 months for a qualifying used vehicle. DTB may approve a shorter term depending on the vehicle, facility size, expected useful life, cash flow and credit assessment.

The published product terms state that a used Public Service Vehicle should not be more than eight years old. DTB will also assess the vehicle condition, mileage where applicable, valuation, remaining useful life, ownership records and suitability for the proposed passenger transport use.

Provide copies of your national ID or passport and KRA PIN, the latest eight months of certified bank statements if you are a non-DTB customer, a pro forma invoice or asset sale agreement, a completed Hire Purchase application form and an introduction letter from your SACCO. DTB may request additional income, vehicle, business, licensing, valuation or insurance documents.

The letter helps DTB verify your relationship with the SACCO and may support confirmation of the proposed vehicle, route or operating arrangements. It does not replace DTB credit assessment, vehicle checks or any licences required by the relevant authorities.

Vehicle financing approval and permission to operate a PSV are separate processes. DTB may request relevant SACCO, operator, route, inspection, registration or licensing information depending on the application. Confirm the required documents with DTB and the relevant authorities before the vehicle begins passenger service.

A first-time owner may apply, but approval depends on a credible and verifiable ability to repay. DTB may consider your income, bank statements, transport-business plan, SACCO relationship, experience, projected cash flow, customer contribution, existing debt and additional support or security where required.

Potentially, subject to DTB approval. The seller and vehicle must pass ownership, identity, valuation, condition and documentation checks. Contact DTB before paying the seller so the bank can confirm whether the sale agreement, logbook and transaction structure meet its requirements.

An imported Public Service Vehicle may be considered subject to DTB approval and satisfactory supplier, invoice, shipping, customs, ownership, valuation, inspection and insurance documents. Confirm eligibility and all required documents before placing a non-refundable order or paying an overseas supplier.

A chassis-and-body or conversion transaction may require prior DTB approval because the work affects the final vehicle value, body type, registration, passenger capacity and insurance class. Ask DTB whether the chassis, approved body-building costs and related invoices can be included before engaging suppliers.

DTB can advise whether a specific electric PSV falls within its approved asset-finance categories. Assessment may consider the vehicle and battery structure, supplier, warranty, charging arrangements, insurance, resale value, operating model and repayment capacity. Do not assume the standard terms apply until DTB confirms them.

DTB describes its interest rates as competitive, but the actual rate is confirmed after appraisal. The total cost may include interest, a processing fee, valuation or inspection, comprehensive PSV insurance and renewals, tracking, credit-life cover where applicable, taxes, registration and other approved charges. Request a written cost-of-credit breakdown before accepting the facility.

Your instalment depends on the vehicle price, amount financed, customer contribution, interest-rate basis, repayment period, repayment frequency and any costs included in the facility. Ask DTB for an official repayment schedule showing each instalment and the total amount payable before signing.

DTB will assess verified cash flow and repayment capacity when structuring the facility. Any monthly or alternative arrangement must be approved and recorded in the facility letter. Build in realistic allowances for fuel, crew, SACCO, insurance, maintenance, downtime, taxes and other operating costs when assessing affordability.

DTB will consider verified income or business cash flow, bank statements, existing debts, repayment history, customer contribution, vehicle value and age, seller or supplier, SACCO relationship, intended use, insurance, supporting documents and the completeness of the application. Meeting the published requirements does not guarantee approval or the maximum financing percentage.

The current generic asset-finance FAQ gives an indicative turnaround of 48 to 72 hours where individual documentation is complete, but this is not a guaranteed PSV approval time. Credit checks, SACCO verification, valuation, seller checks, vehicle inspection, licensing information or missing documents may extend the process.

The financed Public Service Vehicle and its logbook are normally the primary security. DTB may retain custody of the ownership document until the facility is fully repaid or otherwise settled. Guarantees, contracts, insurance or other additional security may be required depending on the credit appraisal.

A financed PSV will normally require comprehensive insurance that matches its approved commercial passenger use, and the cover must remain active throughout the facility term. Eligible applicants may also enquire about Insurance Premium Financing to spread the cost of an approved annual premium.

DTB currently states in its general asset-finance FAQs that there is no early-settlement penalty. The approved facility letter remains the source of truth. Request an official settlement figure showing the outstanding principal, accrued interest and any applicable charges before making the payment.

You may apply for another facility if your repayment record, verified cash flow and overall ability to service additional debt remain satisfactory. DTB will reassess existing obligations, vehicle performance, customer contribution, proposed asset and security before approving additional financing.

A fleet request may be assessed based on the applicant structure, operating history, bank statements or financial information, existing fleet performance, contracts or route income, vehicle specifications, total debt exposure, insurance and repayment capacity. Contact DTB for the appropriate application requirements.

Do not sell or transfer a financed PSV without DTB written approval. Contact the bank so it can confirm the outstanding balance, assess the proposed sale and explain how sale proceeds, replacement security or any shortfall must be handled before the logbook is released.

Report the accident promptly to the insurer and DTB and follow the approved claims process. Unless DTB confirms otherwise, continue servicing the facility while the claim is assessed. Repairs or replacement should be handled through the process agreed with the insurer and bank.

Contact DTB as soon as you anticipate repayment difficulty. Restructuring is not automatic and must be assessed. Repossession or sale of the PSV does not necessarily clear the debt; you may remain liable for any outstanding balance, default interest and permitted recovery costs after the sale proceeds are applied.

Compare the total cost of credit, interest-rate basis, required deposit, financing percentage, repayment term, eligible vehicle age, insurance and tracking costs, SACCO or supplier requirements, early-settlement terms and whether the instalment remains affordable after fuel, crew, maintenance and downtime. The best option is one your transport business can sustainably repay, not simply the offer with the highest financing percentage.

Select Get In Touch on the DTB webpage or visit a DTB branch. Identify the vehicle, obtain a pro forma invoice or asset sale agreement, prepare your ID or passport, KRA PIN, required bank statements and SACCO letter, and complete the Hire Purchase application form. DTB will assess you, the seller, the vehicle and repayment capacity before issuing facility terms if approved.