Ask a room of Kenyan drivers where they learned and you will hear the same complaints. The instructor who spent half the lesson on the phone. The car that stalled on every hill. The fee that "included everything" until the NTSA charges arrived. The school that rushed them into the test, and then charged again for re-training when they failed. A driver’s licence is a small document, but the way you earn it shapes how safely you will drive for the next forty years.
Top Gear Driving School has been training drivers since 2007, and it describes itself as the place "where learning began" for more than 100,000 of them. It teaches almost every class on Kenya’s licence ladder — from A2 motorcycles to CE heavy trucks, D2 buses and Class F for persons with disabilities — through more than twenty branches across Nairobi and its satellite towns, with instructors it says are tested and certified by NTSA.
This review looks at what Top Gear teaches, how its courses and fees work, where its branches are, how to enrol and where its limits lie. It is the companion to our rankings of the 12 best driving schools in Kenya and the 12 best driving schools in Nairobi, where Top Gear takes first place in both for 2026.
Featured
Top Gear Driving School
4.9
Kenyan driving school founded in 2007 with 100,000+ drivers trained, every major NTSA class from A2 to CE, D2 and Class F, NTSA-certified instructors and 20+ branches across Nairobi.
Founded 2007
100,000+ drivers trained
Every major NTSA class
Class F for persons with disabilities
NTSA-certified instructors
Short, half & full courses
20+ branches
Outstanding Driving School of the Year 2019
Top Gear Driving School at a Glance
| Feature | What you get |
|---|
| Founded | 2007, by Zulfikar Bachani and Rubina Zulfikar |
| Drivers trained | More than 100,000, according to the school |
| Head office | KTDA Plaza, 1st Floor, Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi CBD |
| Original base | Top Gear building, Tena Estate, Outer Ring Road |
| Branches | 20+ across Nairobi, Kitengela and Ongata Rongai |
| Hours | Monday to Friday 7am – 7pm; Saturday 7am – 5pm; closed Sunday |
| Licence classes | A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, CE, D1, D2 and F |
| Other courses | Defensive driving, refresher courses, executive 4WD |
| Course types | Short, half and full courses |
| Instructors | Tested and certified by NTSA |
| Payment | Lipa na M-Pesa, Buy Goods Till Number 806123 |
| Contact | 0722 784 235 · 0784 786 235 · drivingschooltopgear@gmail.com |
| Ranking Kenya rating | 4.9 / 5 |
Nearly Two Decades and 100,000 Drivers
Top Gear was founded in 2007 by Zulfikar Bachani and Rubina Zulfikar, and its first home — the Top Gear building at Tena Estate on Outer Ring Road — is still one of its best-known branches. From there it grew into one of the largest driving school networks in Nairobi, with its head office now in the CBD at KTDA Plaza on Tom Mboya Street.
The school says it has trained more than 100,000 drivers, and its reputation travels with them: employers hiring drivers often treat a Top Gear certificate as a mark of competence. In 2019 Top Gear was named Outstanding Driving School of the Year, an award its managing director received from William Ruto, then Deputy President. Its stated vision is to become the leading driving school in Kenya and East Africa.
Every NTSA Class Under One Roof
Most Kenyan driving schools teach the light-vehicle classes well and little else. Top Gear teaches almost the full licence ladder, which means a learner can start with a car and come back for a commercial class later without changing school.
- A2 and A3 — motorcycles (including boda-boda and courier riders) and three-wheelers such as tuk-tuks.
- B1 — light vehicles with automatic transmission only.
- B2 — light vehicles, manual or automatic. The right choice for most first-time car learners.
- B3 — professional light vehicles, for taxi and ride-hailing drivers.
- Executive 4WD — for drivers of larger four-wheel-drive vehicles.
- C1, C2 and CE — light trucks, medium trucks and heavy trucks with trailers.
- D1 and D2 — 14-seater and 33-seater public service vehicles, with support on the PSV application process.
- Class F — for persons with disabilities. Learners must be at least 18 and may drive the vehicle category they trained on, under the same requirements as other drivers in that class.
Training is offered on both automatic and manual vehicles. Not sure which class you need? Our guide to NTSA licence classes explains each one.
Short, Half or Full Course: Pay for What You Need
Top Gear’s most learner-friendly idea is simple: not everyone starts from zero. A full course is for complete beginners. A half course suits learners who can already handle a vehicle but need structured lessons and test preparation. A short course is for endorsements and polishing up. You pay for the training you need, not a one-size package.
| Class | Short | Half | Full |
|---|
| A2 / A3 motorcycle and tuk-tuk | KES 5,000 | KES 8,000 | KES 10,500 |
| B2 manual light vehicle | KES 6,500 | KES 12,000 | KES 14,000 |
| B1 automatic light vehicle | KES 6,500 | KES 13,000 | KES 16,000 |
| B1 executive 4WD | KES 6,500 | KES 15,000 | KES 18,000 |
| C1 / C2 trucks (endorsement) | KES 6,500 | KES 13,000 | KES 15,000 |
| CE heavy truck with trailer | KES 13,000 | KES 18,000 | KES 25,000 |
| D1 / D2 PSV (endorsement) | KES 6,500 | KES 13,000 | KES 15,000 |
| F (persons with disabilities) | KES 8,000 | — | KES 17,000 |
Refresher courses for licensed drivers run for five lessons: about KES 4,000 for B2 manual, KES 5,000 for B1 automatic, KES 7,500 for executive 4WD, KES 5,000 for C1 and D1/D2, and KES 15,000 for CE.
Fees above are from Top Gear’s published fee guide; confirm the current price at your branch before paying. NTSA’s own charges for the provisional licence, test and smart DL are paid separately on eCitizen.
More Than Passing the Test
Top Gear’s stated mission is to give learners skills in driving, road safety, first aid and basic mechanics. That matters because the NTSA test checks whether you can control a vehicle on a test route; it cannot check whether you know what to do when a tyre bursts on the Thika Superhighway, how to approach a matatu stage, or how to help at the scene of an accident.
- Road safety first. Lessons go beyond the manoeuvres examined on test day to how to share the road with boda-bodas, matatus, pedestrians and heavy trucks.
- First aid. Basic first aid is part of the curriculum, because drivers are often the first people at the scene of a crash.
- Basic vehicle maintenance. Learners are taught the checks that keep a car safe — tyres, fluids, lights and the warning signs of a fault.
- Defensive driving. A dedicated defensive driving course helps licensed drivers improve road safety and confidence.
- NTSA-certified instructors. The school says its instructors are tested and certified by NTSA.
Top Gear Branches: Find Your Nearest
With more than twenty branches, most Nairobi learners have a Top Gear school close to home or work. Branches are listed as open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm and on Saturday from 7am to 5pm.
| Branch | Landmark |
|---|
| Tom Mboya Street (head office) | KTDA Plaza, 1st Floor, Nairobi CBD |
| Donholm / Tena Estate | Outer Ring Road |
| Pipeline | Outer Ring Road, near Tumaini Supermarket |
| Umoja | Umoja |
| Lower Savannah | Next to Harambee Estate, Donholm |
| Kayole Junction | Kayole Junction Shopping Centre |
| Komarock | Opposite Naivas Supermarket |
| Buruburu | Buruburu |
| Dandora | Dandora |
| Huruma | Huruma |
| Utawala | Utawala |
| Ruai | Ruai Shopping Centre |
| Imara Daima | North Airport Road |
| Bee Centre | Bee Centre roundabout |
| Eastleigh | Muratina Road |
| Roasters | Thika Road |
| Zimmerman | Kamiti Road |
| Marurui | Thome Estate |
| Racecourse | Opposite the Jockey Club |
| Dagoretti Corner | Dagoretti Corner |
| Kawangware | Naivasha Road |
| Kangemi | Kangemi Shopping Centre, Hinga Road |
| Kitengela | Opposite East-mart, Kitengela town |
| Ongata Rongai | Near Tumaini Supermarket |
Branch details change from time to time, so call 0722 784 235 to confirm your nearest branch and its class schedule before your first visit.
Training for Organisations: NGOs, SACCOs and CDF Programmes
Top Gear specialises in large-scale training for NGOs, SACCOs and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programmes. These contracts are demanding: dozens or hundreds of learners, often from different areas, must be trained to the same standard and on a fixed timetable, with records the sponsor can audit.
A school with more than twenty branches, every major licence class and a long record of training is well placed to run that kind of programme — whether it is a SACCO training boda-boda riders for A2 licences, an NGO preparing field drivers, or a youth programme funding PSV and truck licences for employment. Organisations should contact the head office on 0722 784 235 to discuss group rates and scheduling.
How to Enrol at Top Gear
- Choose your class and course. Decide on the licence class you need and whether a short, half or full course fits your experience. Staff at any branch can advise.
- Visit or call your nearest branch. Bring your national ID or passport and passport-size photographs. PSV and commercial classes may also need a certificate of good conduct.
- Apply for your Provisional Driving Licence. You need a PDL on eCitizen before practical road training; the school will guide you.
- Pay your fees. Pay through Lipa na M-Pesa, Buy Goods and Services, Till Number 806123, and keep the confirmation message.
- Train and sit the NTSA test. Complete theory and practical lessons, then sit the NTSA theory, model town and road test.
- Get your smart DL. Apply on eCitizen once you pass — see our guide on how to apply for a smart driving licence in Kenya.
You can also follow Top Gear Driving School Kenya on Facebook for updates.
Honest Caveats
- Strongest in Nairobi. Top Gear’s branches are concentrated in Nairobi, Kitengela and Ongata Rongai. Learners in other counties should call to check whether there is training near them.
- Confirm fees in writing. Fees differ by class and course type and can change, so ask your branch for the current price and the number of lessons included before you pay.
- NTSA charges are extra. As at every school, NTSA’s charges for the provisional licence, test booking and smart DL are paid separately on eCitizen.
- Call before you visit. With so many branches, schedules and available classes vary by location. A quick call saves a wasted trip.
- Busy seasons fill up. Lessons are in high demand after KCSE results and during the December holidays. Book early if you want morning slots.
Who Top Gear Is Best For
- First-time learners in Nairobi who want a branch near home and a structured full course.
- Learners with some experience who want a half or short course instead of paying for a beginner’s package.
- Boda-boda, tuk-tuk, taxi and ride-hailing drivers adding A2, A3 or B3 classes.
- Truck and PSV drivers adding C1, C2, CE, D1 or D2 endorsements for work.
- Persons with disabilities looking for Class F training.
- NGOs, SACCOs and CDF programmes training many drivers at once.
Top Gear Driving School - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Top Gear Driving School a good driving school?
Yes. Ranking Kenya rates Top Gear Driving School 4.9/5 and ranks it the best driving school in Kenya and in Nairobi for 2026. It was founded in 2007, says it has trained more than 100,000 drivers, teaches every major NTSA class including Class F, and was named Outstanding Driving School of the Year in 2019.
Are Top Gear instructors NTSA certified?
Top Gear says its instructors are tested and certified by NTSA, and the school trains learners for the NTSA driving test on the official curriculum.
Where is Top Gear Driving School located?
The head office is at KTDA Plaza, 1st Floor, Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi CBD. The original base is at Tena Estate on Outer Ring Road, and there are more than 20 branches, including Umoja, Pipeline, Kayole, Donholm, Buruburu, Eastleigh, Kangemi, Kawangware, Roasters, Utawala, Ruai, Kitengela and Ongata Rongai.
How much are Top Gear Driving School fees?
In Top Gear’s published fee guide, a full B2 manual course is about KES 14,000, a full B1 automatic course about KES 16,000, a full motorcycle or tuk-tuk course about KES 10,500, and a full CE heavy-truck course about KES 25,000. Half and short courses cost less, and five-lesson refresher courses start at about KES 4,000. NTSA charges are paid separately.
What is the difference between a short, half and full driving course?
A full course is for complete beginners. A half course is for learners who can already handle a vehicle but need structured lessons and test preparation. A short course is for endorsements or polishing existing skills. Top Gear staff can advise which suits you.
Does Top Gear teach automatic cars?
Yes. Top Gear teaches B1 (automatic only) and B2 (manual or automatic) light-vehicle classes, plus an executive 4WD course.
Can I pay Top Gear fees through M-Pesa?
Yes. Use Lipa na M-Pesa, Buy Goods and Services, Till Number 806123, enter the amount and your PIN, and keep the confirmation message.
Does Top Gear train truck and PSV drivers?
Yes. Top Gear teaches C1, C2 and CE truck classes and D1 and D2 PSV classes, and helps learners with the PSV application process.
Who founded Top Gear Driving School?
Top Gear Driving School was founded in 2007 by Zulfikar Bachani and Rubina Zulfikar.
What are Top Gear Driving School's opening hours?
Branches are listed as open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm and Saturday from 7am to 5pm, and closed on Sunday. Call 0722 784 235 to confirm your branch’s hours.
Final Thoughts
Top Gear Driving School earns its place at the top of Kenya’s driving school market by getting the fundamentals right at scale. It teaches almost the entire NTSA licence ladder under one roof, including the Class F licence many schools ignore; its instructors are NTSA-certified; its training covers road safety, first aid and basic mechanics as well as the test; its short, half and full courses let learners pay only for what they need; its fees are published by class; and its more than twenty branches put a Top Gear school within reach of most Nairobi homes.
Ranking Kenya rates Top Gear Driving School 4.9/5 and names it the best driving school in Kenya and the best driving school in Nairobi for 2026. Call 0722 784 235 or 0784 786 235, email drivingschooltopgear@gmail.com, visit KTDA Plaza, 1st Floor, Tom Mboya Street, or visit topgeardrivingschool.co.ke to start your licence.
