Nigerians to Pay More for Driver’s Licenses, Number Plates from Sunday June 8 — Here’s What It Means

 

JTB Greenlights Nationwide Fee Adjustment for Vehicle Identification Services Amid Security Upgrade

Nigerians preparing to register vehicles or renew their driver’s licenses will soon face a significant hike in associated fees. This development comes as the Joint Tax Board (JTB) has approved a revised national tariff for vehicle number plates and driver’s licenses, with implementation slated for Sunday, June 8, 2025.

According to the JTB, which oversees the harmonization of tax administration across Nigeria’s tiers of government, the adjustment responds to two major factors: enhanced security features embedded in the latest generation of licenses and number plates, and escalating costs tied to their production and distribution.

Government agencies and motor vehicle licensing authorities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have been directed to enforce the new pricing without delay. The directive was communicated via a public announcement issued in May 2025, which emphasized that the revised structure reflects both technological advancements and fiscal realities.

For motorists and commercial vehicle operators, this means budgeting more for essential legal documentation. A standard private or commercial number plate will now cost N30,000 — a steep increase from previous years. The fees for more specialized or premium plates have risen even more sharply. For instance, owners opting for fancy number plates will be expected to shell out N400,000, while the cost of out-of-season plates jumps to N150,000.

Motorcyclists are not left out of the adjustments. A standard motorcycle plate now costs N12,000, and for those desiring a fancy variant, the fee has surged to N50,000. Government-issued standard and fancy plates for motorcycles will now cost N20,000 and N50,000 respectively.

Driver’s licenses have also been affected by the sweeping revision. A three-year license for motor vehicle drivers now stands at N15,000, while the five-year option comes with a price tag of N21,000. For tricycle operators, a three-year license will cost N7,000, with the five-year variant set at N11,000.

The revised fees not only surpass those introduced in the last review cycle in 2021 but also reflect a dramatic escalation in the cost of obtaining road-legal documentation. That earlier adjustment — endorsed following the JTB’s 147th meeting in Kaduna — raised standard private and commercial plates from N12,500 to N18,750 and doubled the cost of fancy plates from N80,000 to N200,000. Motorcycle plates rose from N3,000 to N5,000 at the time, while articulated vehicle plates went from N20,000 to N30,000.

Driver’s license fees in 2021 also experienced a surge. Motor vehicle licenses jumped from N6,000 to N10,000 for three years and from N10,000 to N15,000 for five years. Licenses for motorcycles and tricycles followed a similar trajectory, climbing from N3,000 to N5,000 (three years) and from N5,000 to N8,000 (five years). The rationale back then mirrored the current circumstances: security improvements and rising production costs.

Transportation analysts suggest that while the JTB’s rationale is understandable, the timing could be problematic for citizens grappling with broader economic pressures. Inflation, fuel price volatility, and stagnant wages have already strained household budgets, especially for commercial operators who rely on their vehicles for daily income.

Nonetheless, proponents of the new fees argue that improved document security is essential in tackling fraud and vehicle-related crime. Enhanced number plates and driver’s licenses incorporate sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technologies, making it harder for forgers to create duplicates. This is expected to assist law enforcement agencies in better tracking vehicles and identifying unlicensed drivers.

For context, the JTB is composed of representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), each state’s Internal Revenue Service, and other key revenue-generating agencies. As the coordinating authority on tax matters nationwide, its role in vehicle documentation pricing is central to maintaining fiscal order and administrative consistency.

Some state officials have already begun sensitizing motorists about the incoming fees. According to licensing officers in Lagos and Abuja, updated forms and payment systems have been uploaded to digital platforms to ensure a smooth transition on June 8. Motorists are being encouraged to process their renewals promptly, especially those whose documents are close to expiration.

As the deadline looms, a flurry of last-minute applications is expected, particularly from those seeking to beat the increase. Vehicle owners and commercial operators alike are advised to confirm the new rates with their local licensing offices to avoid confusion or potential scams.

The JTB has also reiterated that no unauthorized fees should be charged beyond the official rates. Citizens are encouraged to report any discrepancies through official complaint channels, including the websites and hotlines of state revenue services.

Though many Nigerians are likely to view the upward adjustment as burdensome, the JTB maintains that it is a necessary step in safeguarding national security interests and ensuring the integrity of vehicle identification systems across the country.

Come June 8, these changes will become the new standard — and motorists will be left to reckon with both the financial and logistical implications of the updated pricing model.