FRSC Unveils Contactless Driver’s Licence System, Targets 24-Hour Number Plate Delivery

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has announced plans to roll out a contactless biometric system for the instant issuance of driver’s licences, as part of efforts to modernise its operations and improve service delivery across Nigeria.

The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed that the new technology will be launched within days and is designed to eliminate the long-standing delays associated with licence processing.

According to him, the system will enable officers to capture applicants’ biometric data remotely using handheld devices and issue licences on the spot, removing the need for physical contact or prolonged waiting periods.

“You will no longer need to press your thumb on a scanner… we capture everything from a distance and print instantly,” he said.

He explained that the Commission will operate both a standard processing timeline of up to one week and a premium express option for immediate issuance, with all state centres set to be equipped with the new technology.

On number plate issuance, the FRSC boss revealed that the agency has significantly improved supply, transitioning from scarcity to surplus. He noted that applicants can now receive their number plates within 24 hours.

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The Corps Marshal added that the Commission had cleared a backlog of nearly 400,000 unprinted licences, with fewer than 5,000 still outstanding.

He further outlined plans to introduce a fully digital application system, allowing Nigerians to apply online, select preferred number combinations, make payments, and have their number plates delivered to their doorstep.

Beyond improving efficiency, Mohammed said the initiative would also create employment opportunities, particularly for dispatch riders and digital service providers involved in logistics and data processing.

The FRSC also highlighted Nigeria’s growing role in continental road safety, noting that it now hosts key regional secretariats, reinforcing its leadership position in the sector.