The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to introduce a contactless biometric capture system with instant printing of driver’s licences — a landmark move to fully digitalise Nigeria’s driver licensing process.
Corps Marshal Malam Shehu Mohammed made the disclosure in Abuja during the 2025 ember months safety campaign.
He said the new system will eliminate the use of temporary licences and establish a seamless, one-stop digital process for applicants across the country.
“We are about to commence the contactless biometric capture with on-spot printing of licences. This will eliminate temporary licences, thereby signalling the beginning of a digitalised one-stop shop for processing driver’s licences,” he said.
Mohammed explained that the initiative reflects the corps’ commitment to innovation and efficiency, ensuring that “delays and other challenges related to the national driver’s licence will be history.”
Clearing Backlogs and Improving Efficiency
The FRSC boss revealed that the corps has upgraded its printing facilities and increased daily production capacity to 15,000 licences.
The goal, he said, is to clear all pending applications by November 2025. Out of an estimated 800,000 backlogged licences nationwide, 400,000 have already been printed, while 206,000 remain uncollected.
He urged Nigerians to visit designated centres to claim their documents, stressing that improved systems mean faster service and better data integrity.
Technology at the Wheel of Reform
The new contactless biometric capture builds on earlier reforms, including the establishment of a mini driver’s licence printing farm in Lagos in February 2025.
That facility produces up to 9,000 licences in six hours and serves as a model for efficient, tech-driven service delivery.
The shift to digital licensing comes amid recent adjustments to driver’s licence fees, approved by the Joint Tax Board (JTB).
The updated nationwide rates took effect on June 8, 2025, with a three-year licence now costing ₦15,000 and a five-year licence ₦21,000. Tricycle operators will pay ₦7,000 and ₦11,000 respectively for the same durations.
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