The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has clarified why some vehicle owners are unable to download their eLogbooks, saying motorists who already hold physical logbooks must first apply for duplicate logbooks before accessing the digital version.
The clarification follows questions from vehicle owners who reported receiving notifications on the NTSA portal indicating that no downloadable logbook document was available despite attempts to access the newly launched system.
In a response to one of the motorists, NTSA explained that existing physical logbooks prevent immediate access to the digital document.
“Kindly note that you already have an existing logbook. Apply for a duplicate logbook to get an eLogbook,” the authority stated.
The explanation comes barely weeks after NTSA rolled out the eLogbook system on June 10 as part of efforts to digitise vehicle ownership records and improve service delivery.
Under the new system, motorists can access, download and verify vehicle ownership details online, reducing the need for physical paperwork and lengthy processing times.
However, NTSA has assured vehicle owners that physical logbooks remain valid even after the introduction of the digital platform. Motorists who already possess the documents have been advised to keep them safely unless they are required during replacement or conversion procedures.
The authority says the digital system is expected to make vehicle ownership transfers faster, with transactions taking as little as one working day to complete.
Unlike physical logbooks, which can be misplaced or damaged, eLogbooks can be downloaded repeatedly at any time as long as the registered ownership remains active.
The latest clarification is expected to help motorists understand the transition process as NTSA continues moving vehicle registration services to a fully digital platform.