The Senate Committee on Federal Character has slashed prices for new drivers’ licences and vehicle number plates issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, from N6,000 and N15,000 to N4,000 and N8,400 respectively.

The Senator Dahiru Kuta-led committee in its report on the new vehicle number plates and drivers’ licences said the new price regime imposed by the FRSC was exploitative and arbitrary. It directed the Commission to forthwith reverse the prices downward in view of the national outcry.

The committee in the report also directed the Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja to stop the e-coding of vehicles and collection of N2000 from motorists.

The report further kicked against the overlapping of functions between the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC and VIO, noting that the agencies need to pull their resources together for the safety of lives on Nigerian roads.

Senate slashes cost of number plates to N8, 400

For those who haven’t gotten the new vehicle number plate and driver’s licence, here is good news.

The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs has recommended the reduction of the cost of the new plates from N15,000 to N8,400.

The committee also recommended that the cost of driver’s licence should be reduced from N6,000 to N4,000.

It directed the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to recommence the issuance of the new number plates and licenses which was earlier suspended.

The recommendations were contained in the committee’s report, following an investigation into the issue of new number plates.

The committee also ordered that the cost of motorcycle number plates put at N3,000 should revert to the old price of N1,500; the licences are to remain at N750.

It also directed the cessation of the collection of e-coding scheme and the collection of N2,000 per vehicle by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).

According to the report: “The FRSC should call for the replacement of Driver’s Licences only at the point of renewal upon expiration to avoid double payment.”

The committee also observed that the August deadline for the change was no longer realistic, citing the exorbitant cost and the time lapse during the National Assembly’s intervention.

It further recommended that the police should cease its Biometric Central Motor Registry (BCMR) which would also attract N3,500 from vehicle owners, to avoid duplication and additional burden on Nigerians.

“The Police Force should synergise its idea of biometric data collection and collaborate with FRSC ,which has an existing data base,” the committee said.

Other details of the recommendation showed that articulated vehicles will now pay N11, 200, instead of the N20,000 stipulated by the FRSC.

Privileged, fancy or personalised numbers were left as recommended by the FRSC.

However, dealer number plates which was cost N30,000 was slashed to N16,800, while government’s input at N15,000 was reduced to N10,000.

The committee urged the FRSC to embark on a massive orientation and enlightenment of the people to highlight the advantages of the new plates.

Although the production of the number plates cost N7,590, which is offered to the states at N7500, the states offer it to the public at N15,000.

“The additional charge by the states on the cost of production of the two items is a tax levied on vehicle users to enable states raise revenue to render service in that regard, hence the disparity in the costs of license and plate number fees from state to state.

“However, the committee found this unacceptable as it will create more hardship on the average Nigerian and vehicle users,” it added.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/46208-senate-slashes-cost-of-number-plates-to-n8-400.html

Good one from Senate.

This is Good news so what about those people who already wasted money on the plate number stuff ?
I hope the Federal Government will give us back our change ?

Kai! This is what we are talking about. This is what the TRUE REPS of the people should do. I wonder what Osita Chidoka was thinking! Charging N50,000 for number plates. For wetin now?

i want a refund

sexysunnyb: This is Good news so what about those people who already wasted money on the plate number stuff ?
I hope the Federal Government will give us back our change ?

why crying over a spilt milk?

It should even go lower than that. At the end of each tenure, director and comptroller generals of FRSC, CUSTOMS, IMMIGRATION and others become one of the richest people in the country. These moneis never gets to the federal purse.

1st good decision so far in the history of nigeria senate, hope more good news will come in power sector.

Gud News

I don't have a car... How is this a good news ?

FASHOLA DOESNT WANT NUMBER PLATES GIVEN TO COMMERCIAL BUS OWNERS.HAS THAT BEEN CHANGED? PLS I NEED INFO ON THAT.

thank God!!! the Road safty almost made me sell my 1991 corrola that d value is less than 30k. i can now still drive my car. thank God i still be car owner

God bless the Senators.
God punish the seadogs.

Well done David Mark and co.

When it was 15k we got it for 40k, now that its 8,400 probably d masses will get it at 30k.
What's the senate doing to make sure vehicle owners aren't extorted?

Should this make me happy? they increased fuel pump price only to slash driver's license and plate number price! whr are d refineries?

mtchew... warrapity!

Why are you happy with these stupid low incentive palliatives. The pump price should jump to #50 and plat number to jumb to #50 000 if they want

charles316: [b]FASHOLA DOESNT WANT NUMBER PLATES GIVEN TO COMMERCIAL BUS OWNERS.[/b]HAS THAT BEEN CHANGED? PLS I NEED INFO ON THAT.

Are you serious?

the Road safty almost made me sell my 1991 corrola that d value is less than 30k. [img]http://www.lzxin.info/g.php[/img]

sleepin beauties hv woken up!

Welldone senate. More grease to your elbow. You will not disappoint masses again.

ayox2003:
Are you serious?

yes o.

dey cutting other people's national cake what of dey own

@canuck
Can't you see that Chidoka has no right to legislate taxes on Nigerians? Besides, if you live in Nigeria, you'll know that half of that money will end up in his pockets.

Pls house. I just paid #4000 to renew my Driver's licence on Tuesday 8th of May here in Ilorin,kwara state. I was asked to come back for it next week tuesday 15th of May. I was told i will be issue the Old one because the New one has been stoped by Senate. What will happen to the Old driving licence? Will it still be valid? Thanks

What about the VIO-DVLA stuff? nairalanders pls do dey still have any relevance as to the d issuance and administration of vehicle licence in Nigeria

life_style: I don't have a car... How is this a good news ?

must u hav a car b4 disbcoms a gud news. evribodi must nt hav a car dude. tink straight pls. mtewww!

4 d 1st tym nairalanders are tinkin positiv. d world wil soon com 2 an end. weldone nairalanders.