Lagos releases official rates for number plates, driver’s licence, motorists to pay up to N210,175

Sequel to the increase in fees for number plates and drivers’ licence as directed by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) which commenced on August 1, this year, Lagos Government has issued a statement listing the new rates for issuance of the vehicle particulars in the state.

A statement to that effect confirming the new rates by the Lagos Government posted on its Facebook account, shows that motorists in the state will now pay between N37,825 and N210,175 for private and commercial vehicle number plates.

The new rates are also above the 50 per cent increment introduced by the Federal Government through its JTB, last week.

The state said it was issuing the new rates in response to ‘false and exorbitant’ prices said to be making the rounds in social media.

It would be recalled that Federal Government, last week, commenced full implementation of the recommendation of the Appraisal and Technical Committee of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) which had approved a major increase in fees charged for all forms of driver’s license in the country.

The JTB had set August 1 as start-off date for the implementation of the new fees regime for the driver’s license and number plate issuance.

By implication, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) adjusted to the new tariff regime as motorists now have to conform to the new policy. Members of the JTB established by section 86 (1) of the Personal Income Tax Act cap. P8 LFN 2004, include the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service as the chairman of the board; one member from each state and representatives of the Federal Road Safety Commission; Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Federal Capital Territory Administration; Federal Ministry of Finance; and Federal Inland Revenue Service.

A letter by the JTB titled; ‘Implementation of the revised rates for vehicles number plates and driver’s licence in Nigeria’, dated July 30, 2021 and signed by the JTB secretary, Obomeghfe Nana-Aisha, also directed various federal and state agencies to commence implementation of the fees regime.

“You may wish to recall that at the 147th meeting of the Joint Tax Board held in Kaduna, Kaduna State on March 25, 2021, the board approved revised rates for the sale of vehicle number plates and driving licence in line with the recommendations of Appraisal and Technical Committee of the JTB. “In the light of the foregoing, we wish to inform you that the Chairman, JTB, has approved Thursday, August 1, 2021, as the commencement date for the implementation of the new rates,” the letter read.

Following the increase, standard number plates for private and commercial vehicles now go for N18,750 as against the old rate of N12,500. Fancy number plate which was N80,000 is now N200,000, while motorcycle number plate is N5,000 from the N3,000 old rate.

Articulated number plates (3 plates) now attract N30,000 from the old N20,000. Out of series number plate has also been revised to N50,000 from N40,000 while government fancy number plate is N20,000 against the former N15,000 rate. Driver’s licence (3 years) was raised to N10,000 from N6,000, excluding bank charges; licence for five years is N15,000 from N10,000 while motorcycle/tricycle driving licence (3 years) goes for N5,000 from N3,000 while the one for five years attracts N8,000 from N5,000.

However, adjusting to the rates for number plates and driver’s licence in the state, the Lagos Government has also added extra charges to the price approved by the JTB.

The statement titled, ‘Authentic Number Plate Prices In Lagos’, read: “It has come to the notice of the Lagos State Government that after the upward review of Number Plates and Drivers Licence fees by the Joint Tax Board, false and exorbitant Number Plates prices have gone viral on social media, causing confusion and misinterpretation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, therefore, the approved prices inclusive of other charges are listed as follows: “Blue Number Plates – N37,825; Red Number Plates – N41,300; Change of Ownership Blue Plates – N33,825; Change of Ownership Red Plates – N38,300; Fancy Number Plates – N210,175; Fancy Motorcycle Plates – N54,000; Articulated Plates – N57,650.

Others include: Loss Plates/Defaced – N21,250; Drivers Licence Fresh/Renewal 3 years – N10,350; Drivers Licence Fresh/Renewal 5 years – N15,450.

“Lagosians are hereby advised to go to Motor Vehicle Administration Agency’s stations to confirm the real prices before any transaction.”