FRSC Rolls Out Contactless Biometric System for Instant Driver’s Licence Issuance
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a contactless biometric system for driver’s licence issuance, marking a major leap toward digitalisation in Nigeria’s vehicle administration. The announcement coincides with the Corps’ 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign, themed “Tech Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” aimed at curbing accidents during the festive period between December 15 and January 15. Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the new system will eliminate delays and remove the need for temporary licences. “Our upgraded printing facility now produces an average of 15,000 driver’s licences daily, and we plan to increase this to clear the backlog before the second week of November 2025,” he stated. The contactless system allows on-the-spot licence printing immediately after biometric capture. “Once you are captured, you receive your licence instantly. There are no temporary licences, no weeks-long waits,” Mohammed explained. Developed in collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders, the system integrates driving schools, Vehicle Inspection Offices, and certification processes into a streamlined workflow. Using advanced technology, fingerprints are captured without physical contact, ensuring speed and accuracy. The FRSC has also linked the new system with the National Identification Number (NIN) database to enable seamless identity verification. Deputy Corps Marshal Aliyu Datsama confirmed the system is operational and will be rolled out nationwide, including Lagos. Datsama added that the backlog of 800,000 unprocessed licences has been reduced to 400,000, with a daily production capacity of 40,000 licences. He encouraged Nigerians who have completed the capture process to collect their licences, noting that over 206,000 remain unclaimed. The new initiative reflects the FRSC’s commitment to modernising driver’s licence services while improving road safety across the country.