OBTAINING VEHICLE LICENSE

THE NATIONAL VEHICLE LICENCE
The National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004 in Part I provides that any person applying to register a vehicle shall submit to the Motor Licensing Authority an application for registration and duly completed Form MVA1 and pay to the Motor Licensing Authority the prescribed fees as may be furnished by the Joint Tax Board from time to time.

1. Procedures for Registering a vehicle:

Application to register a vehicle shall be accompanied by:

1. An invoice and payment receipt of an accredited motor dealer; and
2. A certificate of payment or exemption from payment of import duty issued by or under the authority of the Nigeria Customs Services, where the vehicle is an imported vehicle.

2. Registration and Assignment of Number Plates:

1. The Motor Licensing Authority shall on receipt of proper application and payment of prescribed fees, register the particulars of the vehicle if it was not registered in Nigeria or if it was owed by an exempted body and assigned to it a new number plate.
2. All auctioned vehicles may be assigned number plates provided the application is accompanied by evidence authorizing such auction and relevant payment receipts.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the Licensing Authority to inspect the vehicle before registration.

3. Change of Vehicle Category:

Any vehicle whose category is to be changed may be assigned identification number plate provided it was previously registered, subject to payment of prescribed fees.

4. Out of Series Registration

Vehicles can be registered with a code that is not in the Series of codes being issued at the time of registration under the following conditions;

1. Make an application to the Motor Licensing Authority for the needed number plates
2. Pay prescribed fees.

5. Special or Fancy Number Registration:

A person can register a vehicle with Special Fancy Number provided the Fancy Number shall not exceed 8 digits made up of alphabets, numerals or a combination of both.

6. Transfer of Out of Series or Fancy Number Plates:

A person may transfer the out of Series or Fancy Number Plate of any vehicle to another subject to obtaining Police Clearance, attaching same to application to the authority for approval and payment of prescribed fees, provided the authority shall be that of the State of last registration.

7. Replacement of lost or damaged Vehicle Number Plate or a vehicle Identification Tag:

9. Report the loss immediately to the nearest Police Station or a Licensing Office;

1. Proof of ownership of the lost plate by swearing to an affidavit stating the loss;
2. Pay the prescribed fee to the appropriate authority for a replacement of the lost number plate;
3. The owner of the vehicle or the driver may, where the necessary particulars so lost have been reported, construct temporary number plate in the form of wood which shall conform to coloring, lettering, codes e.t.c as in the case of the lost or damaged number plate.
   
   CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES;

A vehicle may be registered in one of the following categories:

9. Motor Cycles
   ii. Motor Cycles with three wheels or side cars;
   iii. Private Motor vehicle
   iv. Trailer
   v. Taxi or hackney carriage authorized to carry not more than seven persons including the driver.
   vi. Private car driven by the hirer or the owners drivers
   vii. Commercial vehicle authorized to carry goods and persons who are servants of the owner whilst in the employment of the owner;
   viii. Stage carriage authorized to carry not more than fifteen persons including the driver.
   ix. Stage carriage authorized to carry more than fifteen persons including the driver.
   x. Private Omnibus used for the free conveyance of employees
   xi. Agricultural vehicle
   xii. Tractor
   xiii. Vehicle exclusively designed for use as plant or machinery for construction.
   xiv. Fire engines or trailer pump.
   
   ROAD USERS CHARGES:
   The current rates published by the Joint Tax Board effective 1st August 2006 are as follows: