The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a contactless biometric capture system for driver’s licence issuance, introducing an era of instant, paperless licensing in Nigeria’s motor vehicle administration.
The announcement came alongside the launch of the 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign, themed “Tech Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” The campaign, flagged off on Monday in Abuja, targets reckless driving habits that often lead to increased road crashes during the festive period, typically between December 15 and January 15.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the new digital system will eliminate long-standing delays in obtaining driver’s licences and remove the need for temporary permits.
“We have activated plans to overcome the perennial challenges associated with delays in obtaining the driver’s licence and number plates. Our printing facility has been upgraded to print an average of 15,000 driver’s licences daily,” Mohammed said.
“This production average will be increased to clear the backlog before the second week of November 2025.”
He added that the corps is set to begin contactless biometric capture with on-the-spot printing, effectively creating a digital one-stop shop for processing licences.
“With this development, it is expected that delays and other challenges related to the national driver’s licence will be history,” he said.
According to the Corps Marshal, the innovation was developed in consultation with stakeholders, including state governments, since licensing falls under the concurrent legislative list.
“Globally, we have seen how driver’s licence has been obtained. As soon as you come, you get the driver’s licence. What matters is the comprehensive data, the adequate data that will be stored for usage at any given time,” Mohammed added.
The FRSC chief explained that the new system will integrate existing driving school, Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and certification processes into a faster, more efficient workflow.
“It is no longer going to be the process of putting hands on the biometric. This one is contactless biometric. It doesn’t take time, and also, it captures all the essence required,” he said.
He noted that applicants will now receive their driver’s licence immediately upon biometric capture, eliminating the era of temporary licences and long waiting periods.
“Once you reach the point of capture, you get captured and you get your driver’s licence instantly. There’s no longer going to be two weeks, one month, or six months before you get it,” Mohammed stated.
The system is synchronised with the National Identification Number (NIN) database, ensuring data consistency and seamless identity verification. The contactless fingerprint technology captures biometric data from a short distance, enhancing hygiene and efficiency.
In addition, the FRSC has strengthened collaboration with state governments, the VIO, and state revenue boards to ensure smooth nationwide implementation.
During a press tour of the FRSC’s Driver’s Licence Print Farm, Deputy Corps Marshal for Motor Vehicle Administration, Aliyu Datsama, confirmed that the new contactless system is already operational and will be rolled out nationwide, including Lagos.
Datsama revealed that the corps had been managing a backlog of 800,000 unprocessed driver’s licences, which has now been reduced to 400,000.
“We are now working 24/7 to clear the remaining backlog. Our current daily production capacity is 40,000 licences, and by the grace of God, we will clear everything in the next few weeks,” he said.
He also encouraged Nigerians who have completed their biometric capture to check and collect their licences, noting that over 206,000 licences remain unclaimed across several states.
The FRSC’s digital reform marks a pivotal step toward smart governance and safer roads, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and public service delivery in Nigeria.
