Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
To get a driving licence in Nigeria, you attend an FRSC-accredited driving school, get a learner’s permit, apply on the official portal (nigeriadriverslicence.org) with your driving school certificate number, pass the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) driving test, pay the licence fee and do biometric capture at an FRSC Drivers Licence Centre. The official fee for a new private car licence (classes other than A) is ₦15,000 for 3 years or ₦21,000 for 5 years, plus payment-channel charges; a motorcycle (Class A) licence is ₦7,000 or ₦11,000. Allow about 7 to 13 weeks from driving school to card.
This guide walks you through every step in plain language, including the documents to prepare, what each stage costs in 2026, how renewal and replacement work, and how to avoid touts who promise a licence without a test.
Who can apply
- You must be at least 18 years old for a new licence, according to the official portal.
- You need a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and your NIN record should be up to date.
- Foreign residents can apply, typically with a valid visa or residence document.
- Commercial licence classes (for example, for buses and trucks) must be applied for in person at a Drivers Licence Centre (DLC), not fully online.
Driving licence classes in Nigeria
The class is shown by a letter and tells you what vehicles you may drive. Nigerian licences use classes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and J, and one licence can carry up to three classes. Most people applying for a car licence will be told which class to choose by their driving school. If you plan to drive for a ride-hailing platform or professionally, ask the school and the DLC which class you need before you apply.
Step-by-step: how to get a driving licence
- Enrol at an accredited driving school. Choose an FRSC-accredited school; the portal has a searchable directory. Training commonly takes 4 to 6 weeks. At the end you receive a certificate and a certificate number, which you need for the online application.
- Get a learner’s permit. This lets you practise on the road under supervision. Fenix Telematics puts the cost at about ₦6,000, with a validity of six months.
- Apply online. On nigeriadriverslicence.org, choose a fresh application, enter your driving school certificate number and complete the form. Print the application form and acknowledgement slip.
- Take the tests. Visit the VIO for the practical driving test. Some centres also run a computer-based theory test; Fenix reports a 60% pass mark.
- Pay the licence fee online or at a bank, and confirm the payment at the State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) office, as the portal instructs.
- Do biometric capture. Go to the FRSC officer at a Drivers Licence Centre for fingerprints, photograph and signature. Bring all your documents.
- Collect your licence. You are told when the physical card is ready. The portal also offers an electronic licence (eNDL) that can be activated with a QR code, and you can track your application status online.
How much does a driving licence cost in 2026?
The official portal lists the licence card fee. Other costs, such as driving school, the learner’s permit and the VIO test, vary by state and provider.
| Item | Cost | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| New licence, Class A (motorcycle), 3 years | ₦7,000 | FRSC portal FAQ, accessed 28 Sep 2026 |
| New licence, Class A, 5 years | ₦11,000 | FRSC portal FAQ |
| New licence, other classes (incl. cars), 3 years | ₦15,000 | FRSC portal FAQ |
| New licence, other classes, 5 years | ₦21,000 | FRSC portal FAQ |
| Learner’s permit | About ₦6,000 | Fenix Telematics, updated 22 Aug 2026 |
| VIO test | About ₦3,000 to ₦7,000 | Fenix Telematics, updated 22 Aug 2026 |
| Total, including driving school, done yourself | About ₦45,000 to ₦82,000 | Fenix Telematics, updated 22 Aug 2026 |
Official fees from the FRSC driver’s licence portal FAQ, which notes that other charges may apply depending on the payment channel. Other figures are estimates from Fenix Telematics.
Some agents advertise express processing for a much higher fee. A September 2026 guide from Nigerian Informer mentions a 48-hour express option at ₦45,000, but we could not confirm this on the official portal. Pay only through official channels and keep every receipt.
Documents to prepare
- Driving school certificate and certificate number.
- Learner’s permit.
- NIN slip or card with up-to-date details.
- Passport photographs.
- Proof of age, such as a birth certificate or sworn declaration of age.
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or tenancy receipt.
- Payment receipts and your printed application form.
- For foreign nationals: passport with a valid visa or residence permit.
An eye test is usually done during capture or requested by the licensing office. Bring glasses or contact lenses if you normally wear them.
Need a driver while you get your licence?
Book a vetted driver by the hour or the day while you learn, or for long trips once you are licensed.
Renewal, replacement and 3-year vs 5-year
- Renewal: you can renew at any time from 30 days before the expiry date, through the same portal, followed by capture where required.
- Replacement: a lost, stolen, damaged or illegible licence can be reissued. The portal says you need a police extract and an affidavit.
- 3 or 5 years: the 5-year car licence costs ₦6,000 more than the 3-year one (₦21,000 against ₦15,000), so it is usually better value if you expect to keep driving in Nigeria.
Common mistakes that cause delays
- Out-of-date NIN details: names or dates that do not match can stall the application.
- Unaccredited driving schools: without a valid certificate number you cannot start the online application.
- Missing documents at the VIO test or capture: bring originals and photocopies.
- Paying touts: anyone who offers a licence without a test or capture is putting you at risk of a fake document.
A fake licence can lead to prosecution and to insurance problems after a crash. If you are buying a car, also learn how to verify vehicle documents before you pay.
After you get your licence
With a licence you can register to drive with ride-hailing platforms (see the cars accepted by Uber Nigeria and how to join a Bolt fleet), or put a car to work through Travo vehicle investment. Heavy-vehicle drivers should look at truck driving lessons and the right commercial class.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a driver’s licence in Nigeria in 2026?
The official FRSC portal lists ₦15,000 for 3 years or ₦21,000 for 5 years for classes other than A (which includes cars), and ₦7,000 or ₦11,000 for Class A. Payment-channel charges and other costs such as driving school are extra.
How long does it take to get a driving licence in Nigeria?
Fenix Telematics estimates 7 to 13 weeks from driving school enrolment to having the licence in hand.
Can I apply for a driving licence online?
Yes. Fresh applications, renewals and replacements start on nigeriadriverslicence.org, but you must still do the VIO test and biometric capture in person.
Do I need a driving school certificate?
Yes. First-time applicants need a certificate number from an accredited driving school to begin the online application.
When can I renew my licence?
From 30 days before the expiry date, according to the official portal.
What do I need to replace a lost licence?
The portal requires a police extract and an affidavit for reissue of a lost or stolen licence.
What is the minimum age for a driving licence in Nigeria?
The official portal says new applicants must be 18 or older.
Related guides
- Number plate replacement in Nigeria
- How to buy private number plates
- Car tax calculator for Nigeria
- Book a car or driver on demand
Sources: FRSC driver’s licence portal, nigeriadriverslicence.org, home page and FAQ (accessed 28 September 2026); Fenix Telematics driver’s licence requirements 2026 (updated 22 August 2026); Nigerian Informer (4 September 2026). Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
