KEY POINTS
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FRSC launches contactless driver’s license to eliminate delays.
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New digital system to enable instant on-site license printing.
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Rollout aligns with 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign.
The Federal Road Safety Corps unveiled the initiative in Abuja during its 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign, themed “Tech Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” The campaign targets dangerous driving habits that usually rise during the festive season between December 15 and January 15.
Digital shift in license processing
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the new system will eliminate the longstanding delays and inefficiencies in obtaining driver’s licenses and number plates. He disclosed that the FRSC has upgraded its printing facility, now capable of producing an average of 15,000 driver’s licenses daily, with plans to clear the current backlog by the second week of November 2025.
According to Mohammed, the contactless driver’s license system enables biometric capture without physical contact and immediate on-site printing of licenses. The development removes the need for temporary licenses, ensuring applicants receive their permanent document instantly. “With this innovation, the era of waiting weeks or months for a license is over,” he said.
Streamlining Nigeria’s driver’s license process
According to Punch, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the FRSC designed the new system in collaboration with key stakeholders, including state governments, since licensing falls under Nigeria’s concurrent legislative list. He added that the agency based the technology on global best practices that prioritise speed, data accuracy, and seamless integration.
“We are integrating driving schools, the Vehicle Inspection Office, and certification processes into one streamlined digital platform,” Mohammed noted. He described the new approach as faster, efficient, and data-driven, with comprehensive information stored securely for future use.
The new process ensures that once an applicant’s biometric capture is completed, the license is issued immediately. “There will no longer be temporary licenses or extended waiting periods,” he said. The contactless driver’s license system represents a major milestone in the FRSC’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road administration and improve overall safety on the nation’s highways.
