Nigeria Driver's License: Getting It and How Much it Costs

You know it is a punishable offense to drive without a Driver’s license. The license is a document that guarantees you are a certified driver and have a clear understanding of the rules and regulations when it comes to driving.

The post contains information on how you can procure your driver’s license in Nigeria and how much they cost to get one. Also, you will learn about some of the vital information regarding the registration and procurement of the license.

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Steps involved in getting a Nigerian License

If you are getting a new license, follow the process below.

Fill out the online application form

You will need to fill out the correct information in the application form online. You can get this form by visiting https://www.nigeriadriverslicence.org/ or visiting the nearest office to you.

The form will collect your details and the driving school that you enroll in for your driving lessons. Also, you will get questions on the type of license you want and whether you need it for a motorcycle, tricycle, or car.

Please note that it is important to have the necessary answers to the questions asked and it is a crime to falsify.

Go for the scheduled driving test

You will need to go for a drive after filling out the information on the online application and making a payment. The driving test occurs on a scheduled date at the VIO office. You will meet your assigned driving inspector who will monitor your driving capabilities and how well you understand the rules and regulations on driving.

You need to pass the test because failure to do so means that you are not fit to drive. You will need to retake the test until you pass it.

However, if you are successful, you get a certificate of proficiency and a learner permit to drive.

Pay and Confirm your Payment

When you pass the test, you will need to make a payment for the license. You can either pay at the designated section for payment collection at the BIR office or go to the bank. If you are going to make a payment at the bank, you will get the designated account details, and make sure you keep the receipt for confirmation.

Biometric and Capturing

The confirmation of your payment means that you are clear for biometric and data capturing. An FRSC officer will attend to you to handle and validate the whole process for you.

Collection of the Driver’s License

After your biometrics and capturing, you get a temporary driving license which you can use in the meantime (3 months)

All things being equal, you will get your permanent driver’s license 60 days after you get your temporary one. You will receive a notification when the card is ready and you can proceed to pick it up.

Usually, the driver’s license expires on your birthday. Let’s say the validity period is 3 years, which means your birthday in the third year is the expiry date for the license.

Furthermore, you can track your application status to know the progress of the process. Visit www.nigeriadriverslicence.org/, and click on Track DL Application Status on the page. Enter the required information which is your date of birth and your application ID.

Renewal of License

The expiry date for the license is either 3 years or 5 years and it is advisable to start the renewal process 30 days before the expiration.

To renew your license, you can visit www.nigeriadriverslicence.org/ and choose Renewal. The next process will need you to fill in your NIN or driver’s license number. Enter your date of birth in the required format. Then submit, you will get the stored information about your license from the database.

Continue the processing and choose the number of years you want for the license.

Then, you have to make and confirm your payment as required. As stated earlier, you can pay at the FRSC office or in a designated account at the bank.

Wait for approval on your payment and proceed to the nearest Driving Licence Centre to collect a temporary driver’s license. The commission will communicate with you about when you can get a permanent driving license.

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Re-Issue of Driver Licence

You can issue another driving license in the event of your driver’s license being stolen, damaged, or misplaced. The process involved the following

Get a police report

You need a police report that states the reason why you need a re-issue of your license and the particulars of that license.

Affidavit

Also, you need an affidavit that attests to the fact that you lost the license or it is damaged as the case may be.

Start the application process

Begin the application process to re-issue the application process. You can do this online or go to the nearest FRSC office.

If you are doing it online, choose the Re-issue option and begin the process. The process is similar to the renewal process as you supply your NIN or your driver’s license number and your date of birth. Finish the process and then proceed to payment.

Get your Driver’s License Card

You will be given a temporary driver’s license card and the day for the collection of the permanent driver’s license card will be communicated to you.

Electronic Driver’s License

The Federal Road Safety Corps has stepped up to develop an electronic driver’s license that you can use on your smartphone. This innovation is welcoming as it is beneficial especially when you do not have the physical one with you.

Other benefits of the electronic driver’s license include

It can work offline as you do not necessarily need a data connection to access the app once you have logged in one time. All you need is to enter your secret pin
It is helpful to solve the problems of delay that comes with the re-issue and renewal of the driver’s license. Once you start your application for renewal or re-issue and get approval, the updated data is available on the electronic driver’s license.

You can get an electronic driver’s license by paying the prescribed activation fee. Then download the app from the Play Store. Input the required information and set up your pin to state using it. You can learn more about it by visiting https://www.nigeriadriverslicence.org/ for more information.

How much does a Nigeria Driver’s License cost?

The amount for a driver’s license in Nigeria depends on the number of years on the license and the class of such license.

At the time of writing, the cost for a 3 years validity period for a Class A license is N5000, and N8,400 for a 5 years validity period.

However, for other classes, you will pay N10,000 and N15,000 for 3 years and 5 years respectively.

In the case of renewal of your driver’s license, the cost is N12,000 for 3 years and N15,000 for 5 years.

Furthermore, you need to know that you will be charged separately for each class should in case you want to apply for multiple classes of license. Also, the price is subject to changes and other additional charges may be applied.

Nigerian Driver Licence Class

The class of license you hold will determine the category of vehicles that you are liable to operate as a driver.

We have the classes denoted by alphabet and each alphabet has a meaning to it.

Below are the license class and their meaning

License Class	Meaning
A class	Motorcycle
B class	Motor Vehicle
C Class	Motor Vehicles less than 3 tonnes
D class	Motor vehicles other than motorcycles, taxis, stage carriages or omnibuses excluding articulated vehicles drawing a trailer.
E Class	A motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or articulated vehicles
F class	Tractors and other vehicles used for agricultural purposes
G class	Articulated Vehicles such as trams and tractor-trucks
H class	Earth Moving Vehicles such as bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and graders.
J class	Specifically for disabled persons
V class	Specifically for drivers for convoys

Final Notes on Nigeria Driver’s License

Obtaining a driver’s license is a necessary step for you to complete your eligibility as a professional driver whether you are using it for private or commercial use.

In addition, you will save yourself from committing a punishable offense. The post explains how you can get a driver’s license and some other information.

Nigeria Driver’s License: Getting It and How Much it Costs