Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
Nigeria has no single annual "car tax". What you pay each year is the sum of your vehicle licence (priced by engine size), a roadworthiness certificate and third-party insurance, plus any state-specific charges. A 2026 guide puts a typical Lagos renewal at about ₦15,000–₦25,000 for a saloon and ₦20,000–₦30,000 for an SUV. Registering a new standard saloon costs roughly ₦115,000–₦140,000 including plates and an agent. Use the worksheet below to calculate your own figure.
Most people searching for a car tax calculator want one number: how much will my car papers cost this year? This guide breaks the total into its parts, gives the 2026 fee ranges we could verify, and walks you through the sum step by step for renewal, new registration and change of ownership.
What counts as vehicle tax in Nigeria
Vehicle charges in Nigeria are split between federal and state bodies. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) sets national items such as number plates and driver’s licences. State motor licensing authorities (in Lagos, the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency) collect the vehicle licence and roadworthiness fees. Insurance is bought from a licensed insurer. Because states set their own add-ons, the same car can cost more to renew in one state than another.
- Vehicle licence: an annual fee based on engine capacity and whether the vehicle is a saloon, SUV or commercial vehicle.
- Roadworthiness certificate: confirms the car has passed a safety check; renewed yearly.
- Third-party insurance: the legal minimum cover; renewed yearly.
- Proof of ownership: issued at registration and on change of ownership.
- Number plates: a one-off cost at registration, with extra charges for customised plates.
- Hackney permit: needed for commercial and ride-hailing vehicles in many states.
Annual vehicle licence fees by engine size (2026)
| Engine capacity | Saloon (₦) | SUV (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2,000cc | 4,000 – 6,000 | 5,000 – 7,000 |
| 2,000 – 3,000cc | 6,000 – 10,000 | 8,000 – 12,000 |
| Over 3,000cc | 10,000+ | 15,000+ |
Source: Naira Autos, How to renew vehicle particulars in Nigeria (published 22 Apr 2026, updated 27 Aug 2026). National ranges; your state’s schedule may differ.
Other annual charges
| Item | Typical cost (₦) |
|---|---|
| Roadworthiness certificate | 4,000 – 12,000 (by state and vehicle) |
| Third-party insurance | 5,000 – 15,000 a year |
| Penalty: expired licence | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Penalty: no insurance | 20,000+ |
| Penalty: no roadworthiness | 10,000 – 15,000 |
Source: Naira Autos (updated 27 Aug 2026).
| State | Typical full renewal (₦) |
|---|---|
| Lagos, saloon | 15,000 – 25,000 |
| Lagos, SUV | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| Lagos, commercial | 30,000+ |
| Ogun | about 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Kano, saloon | 12,000 – 20,000 |
| National average, full renewal | 30,000 – 70,000 |
Source: Naira Autos (updated 27 Aug 2026). Totals include insurance.
New registration costs
If you have just bought a new car or cleared an imported one, you pay FRSC charges plus state fees. A registration fee breakdown from Naira Autos, verified in August 2026, lists the following:
| Item | Cost (₦) |
|---|---|
| Standard number plate (private or commercial) | 30,000 |
| Out-of-series plate | 150,000 |
| Fancy / customised plate (private) | 400,000 |
| Lagos state registration | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Lagos roadworthiness | 4,000 – 8,000 |
| Lagos vehicle licence (initial) | 4,000 – 6,000 |
| CMR / police clearance | 5,000 – 12,000 |
| Insurance (optional estimate) | about 15,000 |
| Agent fee (optional) | about 18,000 |
| Typical total, standard saloon with agent | 115,000 – 140,000 |
Source: Naira Autos registration fee calculator (FRSC fees effective June 2025, verified Aug 2026). Driver’s licence: ₦15,000 (3 years) or ₦21,000 (5 years).
For personalised plates, see our guide on how to buy private plates, and for lost or damaged plates, number plate replacement in Nigeria.
How to calculate your vehicle tax: a step-by-step worksheet
- Find your engine size. It is on your current vehicle licence or proof of ownership (for example 1.8L = 1,800cc).
- Look up the licence fee for your engine band and body type in the first table.
- Add roadworthiness for your state (₦4,000–₦12,000).
- Add third-party insurance (₦5,000–₦15,000), or your comprehensive premium if you have one.
- Add state extras such as a hackney permit if the car is used commercially.
- Add any penalties if your papers have already expired.
- Add an agent’s fee if you are not renewing yourself.
Worked examples
| Vehicle | Licence | Roadworthiness | Insurance | Estimated total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L saloon, papers current | 4,000 – 6,000 | 4,000 – 12,000 | 5,000 – 15,000 | 13,000 – 33,000 |
| 2.5L SUV, papers current | 8,000 – 12,000 | 4,000 – 12,000 | 5,000 – 15,000 | 17,000 – 39,000 |
| 3.5L SUV, licence expired | 15,000+ | 4,000 – 12,000 | 5,000 – 15,000 | 29,000+ (includes ₦5,000–₦10,000 penalty) |
Our calculation from the Naira Autos ranges above. Actual state schedules may be lower or higher.
Papers sorted? Plan the trip
Book a driver, move a vehicle or arrange a breakdown response anywhere in Nigeria on Travo, or ask us on WhatsApp.
Why online calculators give different answers
- State schedules differ. Lagos, Ogun and Kano all charge differently.
- Fees are revised. FRSC plate and licence fees changed in 2025, so older calculators may be out of date.
- Agents add charges. Some quotes bundle an agent’s fee without saying so.
- Insurance varies. Comprehensive cover is priced on the car’s value, not a flat rate.
Avoiding fake papers
Renew through your state’s official licensing office or portal, or a registered agent who gives an official receipt. Fake roadworthiness and insurance certificates are common and will not protect you at a checkpoint or after an accident. Our guide to verifying vehicle documents explains how to check them.
Frequently asked questions
How much is vehicle licence renewal in Lagos in 2026?
A full Lagos renewal including insurance is typically ₦15,000–₦25,000 for a saloon and ₦20,000–₦30,000 for an SUV, according to a 2026 guide. Commercial vehicles cost more.
Is there a road tax in Nigeria?
Not as a single named tax. The annual cost is made up of the vehicle licence, roadworthiness certificate and insurance, plus state charges.
How is vehicle licence calculated in Nigeria?
Mainly by engine capacity and body type. An SUV under 2,000cc was about ₦5,000–₦7,000; over 3,000cc was ₦15,000 or more in 2026 ranges.
How much does it cost to register a new car in Nigeria?
About ₦115,000–₦140,000 for a standard saloon in Lagos including plates and an agent, based on figures verified in August 2026.
How much is a fancy number plate?
The FRSC fee listed for a fancy private plate was ₦400,000, and an out-of-series plate ₦150,000 (effective June 2025).
What happens if my papers expire?
You can be fined: roughly ₦5,000–₦10,000 for an expired licence, ₦10,000–₦15,000 for roadworthiness and ₦20,000 or more for no insurance.
Related guides
- How to get a driving licence in Nigeria
- Best SUVs in Nigeria
- Mileage cost calculator
- Car service cost in Nigeria
Sources: Naira Autos renewal guide (updated 27 Aug 2026); Naira Autos registration fee calculator (verified Aug 2026). Fees vary by state; confirm with your state motor licensing authority or FRSC. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
