Catch up with the news!

By Theodore Opara

As the deadline for the acquisition of the new driver’s licence gets closer, Vanguard Motoring visited one of the licensing centres in Lagos and reports.

Following the plan by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to start enforcement of the use of the new driver’s licence by October 1, the various licensing offices of the states/FRSC across the country have witnessed increased activities.

One of such centres is the Sura, Lagos Island centre, which is housed in a dilapidated building housing the Lagos Island Area office, behind the popular Sura Market. A recent visit to the complex reveals that as early as 8am, licence applicants were already on ground.

Though officials the Lagos State Licensing office and the FRSC declined comments, it was gathered that the centre receives an average of 200 applicants daily for physical capture— taking of their passport photographs.

Informed sources also revealed that the applicants were taken in three batches by FRSC officials to minimise lose of man-hour. Applicants come in batches of 60 by 8am, 12 noon and 3pm.

Though the seating arrangement for applicants is orderly, it was, however, noticed that the seats provided for applicants were ordinary benches under a huge canopy.

Some applicants also complained that the local government forces them to pay N100 for parking their cars.

One of them said: “They don’t even give receipt and the environment where we park our cars is not even tidy. I expected them to use the money realised from the car park to improve the environment.”

Another said: “The pressure here is too much. I came all the way from Victoria Island, and I know all my friends from Ikoyi also come here. FRSC officials are trying, but the people are just too much.”

Nonetheless, with the number of applicants who are still expecting to get their new driver’s licence nationwide, one wonders if FRSC will stick to the deadline.

Follow the steps below to renew or acquire the new driver’s licence:

STEP 1: Apply online at https://www.nigeriadriverslicence.org.

Print the form and bank teller or in person at Driver Licence Centre, DLC.

Step 2: Pay the licence fee online or at designated banks

Step 3: Present your form to the Board of Internal Revenue Officer or VIO at the DLC for endorsement

Step 4: Proceed to the Federal Road Safety Commission Officer at the DLC for Biometric Data Capturing

Step 5: You will be given a temporary driver’s licence that is valid for 60 days.

For fresh applicants:

Step 1: Attend training at accredited driving school Step 2: The driving school will present you to the VIO for driving test

Step 3: Pass the driving test  and the VIO will issue you a Certificate of Proficiemcy

Step 4: Apply online at https://www.nigeriadriverslicence.org, print out the form and bank teller or in person at Driver Licence Centre, DLC

Step 5: Pay the licence fee online or at designated banks

Step 6: Present your form to the Board of Internal Revenue Officer or VIO at the DLC for endorsement

Step 7: Proceed to the Federal Road Safety Commission Officer at the DLC for Biometric Data  Capturing

Step 8: You will be given a temporary drivers licence that is valid for 60 days.