The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the introduction of a contactless biometric capture system for the issuance of driver’s licences — a major step towards the digital transformation of Nigeria’s motor vehicle administration process.
The initiative was unveiled alongside the 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign, themed “Tech Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” The campaign, launched on Monday in Abuja, aims to curb road accidents commonly associated with the high-traffic festive period between December 15 and January 15.
Speaking at the event, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the innovative system would eliminate delays in licence processing and remove the need for temporary documents, marking a new era of efficiency and transparency.
“We have activated measures to address the recurring delays in obtaining driver’s licences and number plates,” Mohammed said. “Our upgraded printing facility can now produce an average of 15,000 driver’s licences daily, and we plan to clear all backlogs by the second week of November 2025.”
He explained that the new contactless biometric system allows for on-the-spot licence printing, ensuring that applicants receive their permanent licences instantly after capture.
“This innovation will completely eliminate temporary licences and usher in a fully digital one-stop process for driver’s licence issuance,” the Corps Marshal stated.
Developed in consultation with state governments and relevant stakeholders, the system integrates seamlessly with driving schools, the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and certification authorities, creating a unified, faster, and more secure licensing process.
Unlike the traditional fingerprint method, the contactless system captures biometric data without physical touch, using advanced sensors to read fingerprints from a short distance. It is also synchronized with the National Identification Number (NIN) database, ensuring accurate and verifiable identity records.
“Once you arrive for capture, your data is processed instantly, and your driver’s licence is printed immediately — no more waiting for weeks or months,” Mohammed emphasized.
During a press tour of the FRSC’s Driver’s Licence Print Farm in Abuja, Deputy Corps Marshal (Motor Vehicle Administration) Aliyu Datsama confirmed that the new technology is already operational and set for nationwide rollout, including in Lagos.
Datsama revealed that the Corps has successfully reduced a backlog of 800,000 unprocessed licences to 400,000, with officers now working round the clock to clear the remainder.
“We are working 24/7 to eliminate the backlog completely,” he said, urging motorists who have completed their capture to collect their licences, noting that over 206,000 printed licences remain unclaimed across various states.
With this bold digital leap, the FRSC is positioning Nigeria’s driver’s licence system among the most modern, efficient, and secure in the world — ensuring that the road to safer driving is also a road to smarter governance.
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