If you have been wondering how to check driving license status, Naijauto have decided to bring you the necessary steps here in this article!
Fake driving license has been an issue in Nigeria for a long time with many drivers being unable to even spot the difference between an original and a counterfeit. Asides the fact that being in possession of a fake licence ia a criminal offence, it also renders the document invalid since you can't tender it when a form of identification is required of you. But in the case where you don't know how genuine the document is, what will you do? If you have also applied and wish to find out if the license is ready, where do you go? Naijauto have decided to come up with some tips for you on how to check driving license status in Nigeria.

How to check if your driving license is original
Many people don't even know that the so-called "official" that issued them their driving license gave them a fake document. They only realise this when stopped by a FRSC official and a verification is done. But why wait till you get into trouble before determining if your license is genuine? Here is how you can check the genuineness of the document from the comfort of your house.

- Simply visit the FRSC Nigeria website on https://www.nigeriadriverslicence.org
- There is a "DL application" icon on the page, click it for a drop down menu.
- If your driving license is expired, click on "Renewal" from the drop down.
- While if it's still valid, click "Re-issue driver's license". A search bar pops up for either one you click on. This is where you enter the necessary information, which is your date of birth and the driving license number. Make sure they are entered correctly as it is on the license so you can get proper feedback.
- Click "search" afterwards.
- A box will pop up containing the driver's license number you put up, click "OK" after confirming that the information you provided is correct.

Depending on how fast your Internet is, you might wait up-to some minutes while it loads to find information from the FRSC database about your driver's license. Once an information is provided in connection with the date of birth you provided and the driver's license number, then you will have nothing to worry about. But if nothing shows up, it means your driver's license is fake. This is also why you should endeavor to input the right data. However, if you go ahead to use the document after not seeing anything about it on the website, then you're committing a criminal offence.


The design of FRSC website for driving license registration in Nigeria

How to get an original driving license
Getting your original driver's license isn't much of a hectic task. The steps have been well done so it can be easy for you.

First of all, you'll need to attend a driving school. Good thing is that the FRSC has a comprehensive list of all the accredited driving schools in Nigeria. All you need to do is check which ones on the list are close to you and visit them. After attending this driving school for a given duration (could be weeks or months, depending on how fast you learn), you'll be given a learner's permit. This is to show that you are now accustomed to the traffic rules on Nigerian roads and you can drive. This permit also let's other road users know not to pressure you, even when there's an accident.

Once you've imagined the learner's permit, next is to partake in an exam by a VIO (Vehicle Inspection Officer). This exam is practical and is meant to ensure that you really learned what the driving school said you did. Once you pass, you'll get a certificate of proficiency which you'll use in applying for the driver's license. You can either apply online or at the Driver's License Center closest to you. You'll pay for it though.

Once done, you'll submit your application form with necessary information and you'll get a temporal license you can use for two months. Within this two months, you'll be called by the board of internal revenue to come and take your permanent driver's license. This license lasts for five years. There used to be the three years license but a lot of people opted for 5 years validity which has become more popular.

However, if you really need your license soon or if the two months have elapsed and no news about your license, you can check the status of your license using a short code for phones and all Nigerian networks. All you need to is type "NDL STATUS [your driver's license number]" and send to 33811 - as text. For instance, NDL STATUS FN123456G90 to 33811. You will get a response letting you know if your license is ready yet or not. If you have some time in your hands, you can visit the driver's license office too for follow up.

Source: https://naijauto.com/safe-driving/how-to-check-driving-license-in-nigeria-4624

Informative