How to Get New Or Renew Driver’s License in Nigeria: Costs, Requirement & Procedure

How to Obtain New or Renew Driver’s License in Nigeria: Requirement, Amount & Procedure

In order to be permitted by law to drive in Nigeria whether you are a Nigerian citizen or foreigner, you are expected to have a driver’s licence. The Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) in conjunction with Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) Officers in the country have been empowered by the federal government to issue these licences. There are procedures that must be followed when seeking to obtain or renew a driver’s licence in Nigeria and this procedure has become more complicated owing to the recent introduction of licences with bio metric data capture. If you want to obtain a driver’s licence then read on and see all you need to know about it. First, let’s look at the different types of driver’s licence obtainable in Nigeria.

Nigerian driver’s licence classes

Class A- for those people riding motorcycles whether commercial or personal.

Class B- for cars that are not heavier than 3 tons but not a motorcycle, a taxi, or a bus. Most personal car owners go for this class of licence.

Class C- a car not heavier than 3 tons provided it is not a motorcycle. The best for people driving taxis.

Class D- any car that is not a taxi, a bus, a trailer or towing vehicle or motorcycle.

Class E- any car or bus except motorcycles or trailers so if your vehicle is not one of the two then you are good to go here.

Class F- for Vehicles used for agricultural purposes and tractors. This is the only category eligible for this licence.

Class G- for trucks that have a distinct head separated from the body.

Class H- this is the licence for machines used in construction sites e.g. excavators.

Class J- this class is for people with physical disabilities who need to drive.

Class V- This is for those who drive in convoys of government officials etc.

How much is a driver’s licence in Nigeria in 2018

The official cost of driver’s licence is 6000 Naira whether you are renewing or getting a new one. However because of Nigerian factor, you may end up pay double or even more.

National driver’s licence check or verification

In order to check if your licence is not fake, go here and do the following. Select DL Application, click Re-issue or Renewal of drivers licence if your licence is valid or expired respectively on the drop down menu. A dialog box will open, impute your licence number and date of birth in it, then search. You will be asked to confirm your licence number and your information will come up. If it doesn’t than your licence is not original. You can also use a code to check driver’s licence in Nigeria.

How to check if driver’s licence is ready for collection in Nigeria

Normally you get an SMS through the phone number you provided for your application telling you your licence is ready. However if you lost your number or you just want to check the status of your application, text your licence number to 33811 e.g. type your licence number AA1234567OA to 33811 using any network. It costs 50 Naira. Alternatively, you can go here to check online.

How to obtain a new drivers licence.

1. Learn how to drive in a driving school: before you will even be considered for a driver’s licence, you have to learn how to drive in a recognized driving school. This is important because it is required by law that a certified driving school should present you for test before a licence will be issued.
2. Pass the Driving Test: when you complete your training in a driving school, the school will send you to the VIO for test and if you pass the test, the school will issue you a driving certificate.
3. Use your certificate to apply for a licence: once you have your certificate, you are then ready to apply for a licence. Go to any DLC office in the country and present your certificate with a request for a driver’s licence. They will give you instructions and you will be asked to pay for the licence.
4. Go to the website here to see and fill the application form making sure all required information is provided otherwise your application will not be processed.Print out the printable version of your form and if you made online payment then you have to print out your payment evidence that is provided.
5. Tender the printed form at the DLC to be approved by a VIO Officer.
6. You will be directed to a Road Safety Officer at the same office to capture your biometric data. Required information includes Full Name, Date of Birth, Permanent Address, a Valid Phone Number, Blood Group and Next of Kin Name and Phone Number.
7. If the process goes well, you will be issued a temporary licence that is laminated. This will only be valid for two months within which time the permanent one should be ready but it takes much longer in practice.
8. When your licence is ready, it will be sent to the DLC office where you applied and an SMS will be sent to inform you. You may also want to check using the methods I discussed above.

Steps for renewing a driver’s licence

• Just like in the new licence procedure, go to the website here to see and fill the application form making sure all required information is provided otherwise your application will not be processed. Print out the printable version of your form and if you made online payment then you have to print out your payment evidence that is provided.
• Tender the printed form at the DLC to be approved by a VIO Officer.

1. You will be directed to a Road Safety Officer at the same office to capture your biometric data.Required information includes Full Name, Date of Birth, Permanent Address, a Valid Phone Number, Blood Group, Next of Kin Name and Phone Number and the Licence Number on your expired licence.

• If the process goes well, you will be issued a temporary licence that is laminated. This will only be valid for two months within which time the permanent one should be ready but it takes much longer in practice.
• When your licence is ready, it will be sent to the DLC office where you applied and an SMS will be sent to inform you.

Conclusion

Now that you have all the information you need, you can go ahead and apply for your licence. Good luck!.