Getting a driver’s license in Nigeria is a process that can seem tasking as it involves a series of procedures to obtain. Undoubtedly, It is ideal for everyone who drives a car to get a license to do so. It is illegal to drive without a drivers license.
As a driver, acquiring both theoretical and practical knowledge of driving is of utmost importance. You will obtain both bits of knowledge in a driving school.
Although, it is a common belief by people that you do not need any formal education to drive a car. As true as this may seem, having a formal knowledge of driving is more rewarding than not having one. Attending a driving school is compulsory if you want to obtain a driving licence.
You will have to go through and pass a series of prerequisite tests which includes: language tests, sight tests, and a knowledge test. This is to ensure your safety and the safety of other road users. The language test is very important as a driver needs to be able to read and understand road signs and directions clearly.
The Nigeria driver’s license is and can only be issued by the federal road safety corps(FRSC). The driver’s license comes in a form of a plastic ID card containing your biodata. The validity period is five years(5) after which you have to renew it. The registration and acquiring process costs about fifteen thousand Naira only(15000).
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Why do I need to attend a driving school?
Aside from it being a requirement to obtain a driver’s license, other advantages of attaining a driving school are:
- Awareness: Driving schools help you to gain more awareness. You will learn the rules of the road, traffic rules, road signs, and directions correctly in a driving school. This will help you gain the fundamentals of driving.
- Tailored lessons: Not only do students differ in their learning capacities but also in their assimilation rate. Driving schools will tailor to the need of each student.
- A perfect driving record: Also, driving schools will help give you a good driving record. It will help improve your driving habit and limit or even eliminate road accidents.
- Increased Knowledge: In addition, the knowledge you will acquire at driving schools out weights the ones that you’ll get learning from your friends or family.
- Time-Saving: Not only does a driving school uses a broad curriculum but also includes both practical and theoretical knowledge. It’s easier to get the whole concept of driving in a few weeks or months from a driving school.
How to apply for a driver’s license in Nigeria
- Attend training at an accredited driving school: you have to attend an accredited and recognized driving school before you can be issued a driver’s license in Nigeria. A driving school is a formal class that prepares a new driver on how to drive. It can take place in a classroom, vehicle, online, or a combination of all. You will be able to learn about road rules, traffic rules, road signs, and directions easily from a driving school. Completing the driver’s education guarantees you a driver’s license.
- Vehicle inspection officer(VIO) test: After the completion of your driving education, your instructor will present you to a vehicle inspection officer(VIO) for a driving test.
- Eye test certification: You will be required to attend any approved federal road safety corps(FRSC) eye clinic to get your eyes tested. This is to make sure your vision is good and to ensure your safety and that of other road users.
- Payment for the driver’s license: Finally you will have to proceed to any bank of your choice to make payment for your driver’s license. After payment, take the payment letter to the federal road safety corps(FRSC) office for confirmation.
- Get your biometric data capturing done: Next, have your biometrics captured by an officer at the federal road safety corps(FRSC) office.
- A temporary driving permit is issued: After your capturing, a temporary driving permit will be given to you. The validity is sixty days(60).
- Original driver’s license: After the sixty days (60) period has elapsed, your original driver’s license will be available for pick up.
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Required documents for obtaining a driver’s license in Nigeria.
To obtain your driver’s license in Nigeria, there’s a list of documents that is compulsory to have, they are:
- Driving school certificate
- Learners permit
- Vehicle inspection officer(VIO) test certification
- Birth Certificate/ Age declaration
- Eye test certificate
- Evidence of driver’s license payment
- National identification number
Types of driver’s license in Nigeria
There are about nine(9) types or classes of driver’s licenses in Nigeria. They are:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- J
- Class A: The first kind of license is the type that allows you to drive engined vehicles on the street. An example is a motorcycle.
- Class B: This second kind of license is for a four-wheel vehicle that weighs more than three(3) tonnes.
- Class C: Thirdly, we have the class C type of license which is very similar to the class B driver’s license except that in this class, the vehicle can weigh more than three(3) tonnes. An example is a trailer.
- D: This kind of license is issued to motor vehicles other than a motorcycle.
- E: A license issued to motorcycle riders.
- F: This license is issued to farmers or those who operate agriculture facilities and equipment such as tractors, bulldozers amongst others.
- G: This license is for vehicles with semi-permanent joints.
- H: A license for drivers of heavy equipment such as construction workers.
- J: A license issued to the physically challenged.
- V: Finally, the class V kind of license. It is issued to government drivers, that is drivers who have to chauffeur people in political power or VIPS.
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