Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a new contactless biometric capture system for the issuance of driver’s licences, marking a major leap toward full digitalisation in Nigeria’s motor vehicle administration process.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja during the flag-off of the Corps’ 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign themed “Tech Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” The campaign focuses on reducing road crashes during the busy festive period between December 15 and January 15.
Speaking at the event, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the contactless licence system will eliminate the long-standing delays and the need for temporary licences by enabling instant issuance once biometric capture is completed.
“We have activated plans to overcome the perennial challenges associated with delays in obtaining driver’s licences and number plates,” Mohammed said. “Our printing facility has been upgraded to produce an average of 15,000 licences daily, and this capacity will be increased to clear the backlog before the second week of November 2025.”
He added that the contactless biometric capture will enable drivers to get their licences immediately after data capture, without physical fingerprinting or waiting periods.
“Once you reach the point of capture, you get captured and receive your driver’s licence instantly. There will no longer be temporary licences or delays of weeks or months,” he assured.
According to the Corps Marshal, the system was developed in consultation with state governments and relevant stakeholders, given that driver’s licensing falls under the concurrent legislative list. The new technology also integrates seamlessly with the National Identification Number (NIN) database, ensuring accurate data and identity verification.
Mohammed described the contactless fingerprint technology as “seamless and non-intrusive,” explaining that it captures biometric data from a short distance without physical contact.
He further noted that the system would fully integrate existing driving schools, the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and other certification processes, streamlining all driver’s licence operations into a single, efficient platform.
Meanwhile, during a press tour of the FRSC’s Driver’s Licence Print Farm, Deputy Corps Marshal Aliyu Datsama, who oversees Motor Vehicle Administration, confirmed that the new system is already operational and will soon be rolled out nationwide, including in Lagos and other major cities.
Datsama also disclosed that the Corps had been grappling with a huge backlog of 800,000 unprocessed driver’s licences, but that figure has now been reduced by half.
“We’ve brought it down to about 400,000, and with this contactless system, we expect to clear the remaining backlog very soon,” he said.
The FRSC is working closely with state governments, VIOs, and state revenue boards to ensure smooth nationwide implementation.
The new digital licence system is part of the FRSC’s broader effort to modernize road administration in Nigeria and enhance safety compliance ahead of the festive season.
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