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FRSC Begins Instant, Contactless Driver’s Licence Nationwide
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a fully digital, contactless biometric system for issuing driver’s licences in Nigeria, marking a major step toward modernising road administration and eliminating long-standing delays.
The announcement was made during the flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign in Abuja, themed “Tech Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” The campaign focuses on reducing accidents commonly recorded during the festive season between December 15 and January 15.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the new contactless system will enable motorists to receive their driver’s licence immediately after biometric capture.
“We have activated plans to overcome the perennial challenges associated with delays in obtaining the driver’s license and number plates. Our printing facility has been upgraded to print an average of 15,000 driver’s licenses daily. This production average will be increased to clear the backlog before the second week of November 2025,” Mohammed said.
“We are also about to commence the contactless biometric capture with on-spot printing of the license, which will eliminate temporary licenses, thereby signaling the beginning of a digitalized one-stop-shop for processing driver’s licenses. With this development, it is expected that delays and other challenges related to the national driver’s license will be history.”
The FRSC boss noted that the new biometric technology captures data without physical touch, using advanced scanners that read fingerprints from a short distance. He emphasized that the process is faster, accurate, and fully synchronised with the National Identification Number (NIN) database.
“Once you reach the point of capture, you get captured and you get your driver’s licence instantly. There is no longer going to be a temporary driver’s licence. There’s no longer going to be two weeks, one month, six months, one year before you get your driver’s licence,” he said.
Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, Aliyu Datsama, confirmed during a press tour that the system is already operational and will be rolled out nationwide, including Lagos.
He disclosed that FRSC had been dealing with a massive backlog:
“We had a backlog of 800,000 unprocessed driver’s licences, which has now been reduced to 400,000. Our current daily production capacity is 40,000 licences, and by the grace of God, we will clear everything in the next few weeks.”
Datsama also called on motorists who have completed their capture to collect their licences, revealing that over 206,000 licences remain unclaimed across various states.
Mohammed added that the new system was developed in collaboration with state governments and agencies including the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and state revenue boards, ensuring full nationwide implementation.
“Globally, we have seen how a driver’s licence has been obtained. As soon as you come, you get the driver’s license. What matters is the comprehensive data, the adequate data that will be stored for usage at any given time,” he said.
The contactless licence initiative was announced alongside FRSC’s 2025 Ember Months Campaign, targeted at curbing road crashes linked to speeding, drunk driving and distractions during festive travels.
