The process of obtaining a driving license in Nigeria is very similar to obtaining some other government-issued documents for example a passport. In order to qualify, undertaking a driver’s test is mandatory since it helps confirm that the applicant is fit to drive.
Unlike in other countries where the procedures and requirements for obtaining a driving license involve lots of hassles, in Nigeria, everything seems different. Whether you are planning to obtain a new driving license, do a renewal, apply for a re-issue, or want to know the costs associated, this article has everything you are looking for.
What is a Driving License?
In Nigeria, a driving license is a government-issued document that gives the bear legal right not only to drive but also to operate a vehicle falling in the awarded class on public roads. The driver’s license is issued by the FRSC upon verification of the applicant.
Who is FRSC?
The Federal Road Safety Corps /Commission is a Federal Government agency whose vision is to “eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safe motoring environment in Nigeria”. You can find a list of Driver’s license centers here.
Why do you need a driver’s license in Nigeria?
According to section 23 (1) and (2) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act 2007 No.22 A571, indicates it well that;
(1) A person shall not drive on a highway a motor vehicle of any class or description unless he is the holder of a valid driver’s license. (2) A person who acts in contravention of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine of ten thousand nairas.Federal Road Safety Commission Act
Unless you want to violate the rules of driving in Nigeria that can lead you to conviction to a fine of up to N10, 000.00, you need to apply and get a driving license.
Types of drivers license in Nigeria
According to the Nigeria highway code, there are up to 10 classes of driving license types with each having a separate set of vehicles they correspond to. Drivers are required to possess a valid driving license matching the type of vehicle are driving, or else a fine applies.
The 10 Driving License Classes
1. Class A – Motor cycle.
2. Class B – Motor vehicle of less than 3 tonnes gross weight other than motor cycle, taxi, stage carriage or omnibus. “Omnibus” means any motor vehicle that carries more than six persons excluding the driver while “Stage carriage” is an omnibus used for hire or cab in which a fee is charged.
3. Class C – A motor vehicle of less than 3 tonnes gross weight, other than motor cycle.
4. Class D – Motor vehicle other than motor cycle, taxi, stage carriage, an articulated vehicle or vehicle drawing a trailer.
5. Class E – Motor vehicle other than a motor cycle or articulated vehicle.
6. Class F – Agricultural machines and tractors.
7. Class G – Articulated vehicles.
8. Class H – Earth moving vehicles.
9. Class J – Special, for physically challenged persons.
10. Class V – Convoy driving (persons engaged in driving senior government or political office holders in stream driving).Nigeria Highway Code
Eligibility for Driving License in Nigeria
- A person is considered eligible for a driving license in Nigeria when they reach the age of 18 years old and above, and not exceeding 70 years of age.
- It is mandatory for the applicant of the DL to attend driving training lessons at any of the accredited driving schools.
- The training after which the school must issue a certificate of completion to the applicant.
- The cerficate of completion must be presented to the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in order to do the test.
- A certificate of proficiency from the VIO is issued to the applicant once they pass the test.
How to apply for a Driving License in Nigeria
Application for a driver’s license is done online by following a set of instructions as shown below.
Steps to apply for a Drivers License online
- Visit www.nigeriadriverslicence.org.
- Select “New Drivers License” under DL Application.
- Type in your “Test Certificate Number” and click validate.
- Fill in the entire form and print the “Acknowledgement Slip”.
- Pay the required fees at your choice ie, UBA, FCMB, UNION or WEMA.
Submitting your application form
Once you are done with all the above. You must hand in all required documents including proof of payment, test certificate, etc to the “Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) Officer and VIO at the DLC” for endorsement.
Required documents to submit
- Application form
- Payment slip
- Learner’s permit
- Certificate from driving school
- Certificate of vio test
- Certificate of eye test
- Birth certificate.
As it happens in countries like Uganda where obtaining a learner’s permit is mandatory for all new applicants, the same happens in Nigeria. You need to provide that in addition to taking an eye test, payment of associated fees, etc in order to successfully apply for your license.
With all of the above-required documents, your biometric data will be captured once you are at FRSC by the officer in charge. You will be issued a temporary driver’s license with an expiry date of 2 months. Afterward, you will be able to pick up your ready original driver’s license at the BIR Office within or after 2 months from that date of submission.
Nigeria Driver’s license associated fees
- N8,000 for Driving School certificate
- N1,000 for VIO test certificate
- N500 for Eye Test Certificate
- N6,000 for 3 years / N10,450 for 5 years (New/Renewal)
Depending on who helps you out in the entire process, the above charges may change. But if you do everything yourself, the official fees will remain unchanged. The driving license costs vary depending on the number of years or validity one is paying for.
How to Renew a drivers license in Nigera
- Visit www.nigeriadriverslicence.org.
- Select “Renewal of Drivers License” under DL Application.
- Type in your “Driver’s Licence Number”, “Date of Birth” and click “Search”.
- Fill in the entire form and print the “Acknowledgement Slip”.
- Pay the required fees at your choice ie, UBA, FCMB, UNION or WEMA.
- Submit your application, payment slip and any other to “FRSC office”.
Note: You can also visit www.frsc.gov.ng portal to locate the nearest office close to you for your submission.
How to Re-issue (Replace) Drivers License in Nigeria
- Visit www.nigeriadriverslicence.org.
- Select “Re-issue of Drivers License” under DL Application.
- Type in your “Driver’s Licence Number”, “Date of Birth” and click “Search”.
- Fill in the entire form, print the “Acknowledgement Slip” or download it.
- Pay the required fees at your choice ie, UBA, FCMB, UNION or WEMA.
- Submit your application, payment slip and any other to “FRSC office”.
How to Check If Driver’s License is Original in Nigeria.
- Visit “https://www.nigeriadriverslicense.org“
- Select “DL application” from drop down
- Click “Re-issue of Driver’s License”
- Input “Driver’s license number, and date of birth”
- Click “Search”
- Click “Confirm”
You should be able to see the driver’s information. If the displayed information matches with what you have, then it is a legit license and original. In any case, they don’t match, first confirm you entered the right info b before deciding it is fake.
International Drivers License In Nigeria
An international driving license will allow you to drive in any other supported country besides Nigeria. Such a document is useful for overseas travelers going for business, private, or even touring. Holders of such an international driver’s license worry less when it comes to violating road traffic rules and regulations in the country they visit since the document they hold is allowed to drive internationally.
Requirements to obtain an International Driving License in Nigeria
- Local drivers license
- Application letter
- Signed application form
- Recent passport photos
- Scanned own signature
- Proof of payment of associated fees
International driver’s license fees Nigeria
- $39.99 (N14,500) for 1 year validity
- $54.99 (N20,000) for 2 years validity
- $69.99 (N25,500) for 3 years validity
How to apply for International Driver’s License in Nigeria
- Obtain the application form from the central motor registry
- Fill in the form and attach all of the requirements
- Submit in your application.
Your application will be reviewed. Your identity will also be verified. If everything is okay, an international driving license will be issued and sent to the Interpol office. You should be able to pick up your IDL right away from the Interpol office.
Final Verdict
The next time you want to do anything related to Nigeria’s driving license be obtaining an IDL, this article should be your resource since everything you need, including how it works has been covered.
