Drivers’ License Cost In Nigeria And How To Get It
In this post, you will see the Drivers’ license cost in Nigeria and how to get it. All drivers in Nigeria are mandated to be licenced by the federal government through the Vehicle Inspection Officers VIO and officers of the Federal Road Safety Corp.
There are offices in all major local government areas in the country that are in charge of processing driver’s licences. The licence is a legal document that gives both Nigerian citizens and foreigners the right to drive on Nigerian high ways.
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Live, Study and Work in Canada. No Payment is Required! Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to CanadaThere are processes and costs involved in obtaining a driver’s licence. There are also different classes of driver’s licence depending on what the applicant intends to use it for.
Read Also: How To Renew Vehicle License In Nigeria – Requirement, Amount, Procedure
We will look at these licence types and the steps to help prospective drivers know how to get a licence when they need it and to guide licenced drivers on how to renew their licences.
Classes of Licence
Class A- This is the licence issued to motorcycle riders
Class B- Motor vehicle of not more than 3 tons gross weight other than motor cycle, taxi, stage carriage or omnibus. This licence is ideal for personal car owners who intend to drive their own cars rather than commercial drivers.
Class C- A motor vehicle of less than 3 tonnes gross weight other than a motor cycle. This is ideal for taxi drivers.
Class D- Motor vehicle other than motorcycle, taxi, stage carriage, articulated vehicle or vehicle drawing trailer. This is suitable for commercial drivers and personal drivers can have it too.
Class E- Motor vehicle other than a motor cycle or articulated vehicle. Ideal for any driver that does not fall under the two exceptions.
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Live, Study and Work in Canada. No Payment is Required! Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to CanadaClass F- Agricultural machines and tractors
Class G- Articulated vehicles. Mainly for drivers of trucks that have a separate head from the body.
Class H- Earth moving vehicles. This sounds like one that confers the right to drive any vehicle that moves on the earth. You should try that!
Class J- Licence for the physically challenged.
Class V- Convoy driving. This is for those driving in convoys of political office holders or other government officials.
Steps for renewing a drivers licence
You can renew your licence or get a new one by two methods. Tou can apply for it online or by going to the office DLC office nearest to you.
Read Also: 9 Steps to Obtain Driver’s License in Nigeria
How to Obtain a New Drivers Licence
1. Enroll in a driving school: The number one step in obtaining a drivers licence is to go to a driving school. There are many driving schools all over the country. Training usually takes 6 months and then you can apply for a licence.
2. After your training is complete, the school will present you to the Vehicle Inspection Officers for a driving test. The test will usually test your ability to control the vehicle and maneuver with very little space, with a lot of traffic and on the brow of a hill without causing an accident. The school will issue you a certificate after you pass the test.
3. Go to a DLC office nearest to you: After obtaining your certificate, tender it at any DLC office and request for a drivers licence. You can pay the licence fee online or go to a designated bank to make deposit. The official cost is usually ₦6,000 for a three-year licence and ₦10,000 for a five-year licence but it may be higher than that. I paid ₦15,000 for mine!
4. Proceed online here to access the online application form and fill in all required information and print out after you finish. Print out the payment form provided as well if you make payment online.
5. Present your printed form to the VIO at the DLC for endorsement.
6. Proceed to the FRSC officer at the DLC for biometric capture. Information required will include your bio data, home and or office address, phone number, date of birth and a passport photograph.
7. This information will be entered and a temporary driver’s licence will be printed for you that lasts for 60 days before the permanent licence is ready. The permanent licence may take much longer than expected so don’t get your hopes up.
8. You will be notified by Sms through the phone number you provided during your biometric capture and you can pick it up at the DLC where you applied.
Read Also: FRSC Driver’s Licence: How to obtain the new driver’s license in Nigeria
Steps for renewing a driver’s licence
1. Proceed online here to access the online application form and fill in all required information and print out after you finish. Print out the payment form provided as well if you make payment online.
2. Pay the required licence fee online using your debit or credit cards or by going to a designated bank to make payment. The official cost is ₦6,000 but again, it might be higher at the DLC where you apply.
3. Provide your printed form and evidence of payment to the VIO or revenue officer at the DLC nearest to you.
4. Proceed to the road safety officer at the DLC for biometric capture. Information required will include your expired licence number and the information you provided earlier.
You will be given a temporary licence with the information you provided, valid for 60 days by which time the permanent licence should be ready.
However it takes much longer to get the permanent licence in practice. You will be notified by SMS through the phone number you provide when the licence is ready. This is why it is important to provide a valid phone number that is reachable.
I hope this information helps. Now you can decide on which licence to apply for before you even start the process and prepare to pay the required fees as well.
The licence doesn’t confer the right to break traffic rules though, so if you don’t follow the rules on the high way you might get in trouble with the law.
Read Also: How to Register with COREN, Registration Procedures for Nigerian Engineers
In addition to attending a driving school I suggest you read the book “high way code” written by the Federal Road Safety Corp. You can never go wrong with it. Drive safe and stay alive.