Driving without valid insurance in Tanzania is illegal and carries serious penalties. But expiry can sneak up on you — especially if you rely on a broker to renew. Here's how to verify your insurance status, and how to make sure you're always alerted before it lapses.
GariWatch monitors your insurance expiry automatically
GariWatch checks your vehicle's insurance on TIRA every 6 hours and alerts you 30 days before it expires — so you always have time to renew before you're driving illegally.
Start Free 7-Day Trial →What is TIRA?
TIRA is the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority — the government body that licences all insurance companies in Tanzania. Every legitimate vehicle insurance policy must be registered with TIRA. Their portal at tiramis.tira.go.tz lets you verify any policy using just a plate number.
Counterfeit insurance certificates are widespread. A physical certificate alone is not proof — always verify on the TIRA portal. If your policy doesn't appear, it may be fraudulent.
How to Check Your Insurance on TIRA Manually
Go to tiramis.tira.go.tz
Open the TIRA portal in your browser. Works on desktop and mobile.
Find the vehicle verification section
Look for "Verify Insurance" or "Cover Note Verification" on the portal menu.
Enter your vehicle plate number
Type your full registration number. You can also search by cover note number.
Review your policy details
TIRA shows your policy status, insurer name, cover type, and exact expiry date.
Understanding Your Insurance Status
Rather than checking TIRA manually every month, GariWatch watches your expiry date automatically and sends a reminder 30 days before — giving you plenty of time to renew.
Try GariWatch Free for 7 Days →What If My Insurance Doesn't Appear on TIRA?
- The certificate may be fraudulent — contact your insurer immediately
- New policies can take 24–72 hours to appear in the TIRA system
- Try different plate number formats if nothing shows up
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
- Immediate vehicle impoundment
- Heavy fines payable at the magistrate's court
- Potential criminal record
- Full personal liability for all damages and injuries in any accident
Start your renewal at least 2 weeks before expiry. Brokers can take several days to process and register the new policy on TIRA — don't leave it to the last day.