📌 Quick answer (checked 13 October 2026): A new car driver’s licence costs ₦15,000 for 3 years or ₦21,000 for 5 years (tricycle licences ₦7,000 and ₦11,000), the official fees set by the Joint Tax Board from 8 June 2025. First you complete an accredited driving school and pass the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) test, then apply online, pay with the portal’s payment reference and do biometric capture at a Drivers Licence Centre. Your NIN is required, and the FRSC’s new contactless system prints permanent licences on the spot where it is running.
Driver’s Licence Fees
| Licence | 3 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle (car) | ₦15,000 | ₦21,000 |
| Tricycle | ₦7,000 | ₦11,000 |
Fees set by the Joint Tax Board, effective 8 June 2025, as reported by Nairametrics. The same fees apply to new licences and renewals. Driving school, the driving test and medical or eye checks are paid separately, and their prices vary by city.
Who Is Involved
- Driving schools (accredited) train you and issue a certificate.
- The Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) tests your driving and issues a certificate of competence.
- The State Board of Internal Revenue endorses the application.
- The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) captures your biometrics and produces the licence.
Requirements
- You must be at least 18 for a car licence.
- NIN: the FRSC’s licence system is linked to the national identity database.
- A driving school certificate from an accredited school.
- A certificate of competence from the VIO driving test.
- Medical and eye fitness, checked as part of the process.
- A valid means of identification and passport photographs if asked.
How to Get Your Licence: Step by Step
- Enrol in an accredited driving school and complete the training. Ask to see its accreditation before you pay.
- Take the VIO driving test and get your certificate of competence.
- Apply online on the FRSC’s driver’s licence portal (reach it from frsc.gov.ng; type the address yourself), choose the class and 3 or 5 years, and pick a Drivers Licence Centre.
- Pay with the payment reference the portal generates, online or at a bank. If someone asks you to pay without an official reference, you are not in the real process.
- Get your application endorsed at the centre and complete biometric capture (photo and fingerprints).
- Collect your licence. In October 2025 the FRSC introduced contactless biometric capture with on-the-spot printing of the permanent licence, which it says ends the temporary licence. Where that system is not yet running, you may receive a temporary licence while your card is produced.
Licence Classes
The class depends on what you will drive. Class A covers motorcycles and Class B covers private cars and light vehicles, which is what most people need. Higher classes cover commercial vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, articulated vehicles, tractors and other special vehicles, and have extra requirements. Your driving school and the VIO test should match the class you apply for.
Renewing or Replacing a Licence
Renewal uses the same fees (₦15,000 or ₦21,000) and is started online with your existing licence number, followed by biometric capture. See our driver’s licence renewal guide. For a lost licence, apply for a re-issue through the portal; you may be asked for a police report or affidavit.
Avoiding Touts
- Start only on the official FRSC portal and pay only with its official reference.
- Driving school and the VIO test cannot legally be skipped. A licence bought without them will not hold up in the national system.
- If you need speed, ask about official premium services; do not pay a “connection”.
- Keep your receipts and references, and report anyone asking for extra money to the FRSC or the ICPC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a driver’s licence in Nigeria in 2026?
₦15,000 for a 3-year car licence and ₦21,000 for 5 years; tricycle licences cost ₦7,000 and ₦11,000. Driving school and testing costs are extra.
Is driving school compulsory?
Yes, for first-time applicants. You need an accredited driving school certificate and must pass the VIO test.
Do I need my NIN?
Yes. The FRSC licence system is linked to the national identity database.
Do I still get a temporary licence?
The FRSC said in October 2025 that its new contactless system prints permanent licences on the spot and ends the temporary licence. Where it is not yet in place, a temporary licence may still be issued.
How long is a driver’s licence valid?
3 or 5 years, depending on which you pay for.
Sources
- Nairametrics, “FRSC set to roll out digital driver’s licences in Nigeria”, 20 October 2025 (Joint Tax Board fees from 8 June 2025).
- IT Edge News, “FRSC launches instant driver’s licence with contactless biometric capture”, 20 October 2025.
- Federal Road Safety Corps: frsc.gov.ng.
Last updated: 13 October 2026 · NaijaSabi.
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