MOTOR LICENSING · REGISTRATION
New vehicle registration
Registering a vehicle for the first time in the State: chassis verification, proof of ownership, plate allocation and the first year’s licence. Five working days from a complete application, or same day at a zonal station.
When registration is required
Every vehicle kept or used on a road in the State must be registered here, and registration must happen before the vehicle is driven. That covers a newly imported vehicle clearing customs, a vehicle bought new from a dealer, a vehicle bought used from a private seller, a vehicle brought in from another State by an owner who has relocated, and a vehicle assembled or rebuilt locally.
Registration produces three things: an entry on the State vehicle register keyed to the chassis number, a proof of ownership certificate in the registered owner’s name, and an allocated plate number. Together these are what make the vehicle traceable, insurable and lawfully sellable. A vehicle without them is, in the eyes of the law, an unidentified object on the road.
The chassis verification step exists to stop stolen and cloned vehicles entering the register. The chassis number stamped on the vehicle is physically compared against the customs papers or the dealer invoice, photographed, and checked against the National Vehicle Identification Scheme and the police stolen-vehicle database. A discrepancy stops the registration and is referred for investigation.
How to register a vehicle
Start the application
On the vehicle owner portal, or at any of the four zonal licensing stations. Enter the chassis number, engine number, make, model, year of manufacture, colour and intended category.
Upload the ownership documents
Customs papers for an imported vehicle, the dealer invoice for a new one, or the previous owner’s proof of ownership and a signed change-of-ownership form for a used one.
Chassis verification
Present the vehicle at a zonal station. An officer compares the stamped chassis and engine numbers against the documents, photographs both, and runs the NVIS and stolen-vehicle checks.
Roadworthiness inspection
The 22-point inspection is carried out at the same visit. A vehicle that fails is given a defect list and may be re-presented once the defects are corrected, at no further charge within thirty days.
Plate allocation
A plate number is allocated from the current series for the category. Customised combinations may be requested and are subject to approval and a higher charge.
Pay the registration bundle
Registration, plate production, the first vehicle licence, roadworthiness and, for commercial vehicles, the hackney permit are billed as one demand notice.
Collect the documents and plates
Proof of ownership, the licence disc, the roadworthiness certificate and the embossed plates. Electronic copies are available in the portal immediately on payment.
What a first registration costs
The full bundle for a vehicle being registered in the State for the first time.
| Vehicle category | Registration | Number plate | First licence | Roadworthiness | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private saloon — below 2.0 litres | ₦15,000 | ₦21,000 | ₦12,500 | ₦7,500 | ₦56,000 |
| Private SUV / 4x4 — 2.0 litres and above | ₦15,000 | ₦21,000 | ₦22,500 | ₦7,500 | ₦66,000 |
| Commercial bus — 15 seats and below | ₦15,000 | ₦23,000 | ₦18,500 | ₦12,500 | ₦75,500 |
| Commercial truck / lorry | ₦18,000 | ₦23,000 | ₦32,500 | ₦12,500 | ₦92,500 |
| Articulated vehicle / tanker | ₦25,000 | ₦23,000 | ₦45,000 | ₦18,000 | ₦117,500 |
| Motorcycle | ₦6,000 | ₦9,500 | ₦5,500 | ₦3,500 | ₦27,500 |
| Tricycle (Keke) | ₦7,500 | ₦9,500 | ₦8,500 | ₦4,500 | ₦33,000 |
| Government vehicle | ₦10,000 | ₦21,000 | ₦6,000 | ₦4,000 | ₦41,000 |
Documents required
- Valid means of identification of the owner — NIN slip, passport or driver’s licence.
- Taxpayer Identification Number of the owner (individual or company).
- Customs Single Goods Declaration and duty receipt, for an imported vehicle.
- Dealer invoice and certificate of sale, for a new vehicle.
- Previous proof of ownership and a signed change-of-ownership form, for a used vehicle.
- Valid third-party or comprehensive motor insurance certificate.
- Proof of residential or business address in the State.
- For a company vehicle: CAC certificate and a board resolution or letter of authority.
- Two passport photographs of the owner.
Driving an unregistered vehicle
Using an unregistered vehicle on a road attracts a fine of ₦25,000 plus the full registration bundle, and the vehicle may be impounded pending registration.
A vehicle presented for registration with a chassis number that has been altered, ground off or does not match its papers is impounded and referred to the police. Use of a fake or cloned plate carries a ₦300,000 fine and prosecution.
A vehicle brought in from another State must be re-registered here within thirty days of the owner becoming resident.
Register a vehicle
Start online, present the vehicle once for chassis verification and inspection, and collect everything the same day.