Nigerians are set to experience a sharp increase in the cost of vehicle registration and licensing as the Joint Tax Board (JTB) has approved significant upward adjustments in the fees for motor vehicle number plates and driver’s licenses across the country.
The new pricing structure, announced via an official publication in ThisDay newspaper, is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
The development will affect both private and commercial vehicle owners, as well as motorcycle and tricycle operators nationwide.
Under the new tariff, standard number plates for private and commercial vehicles will increase by 60% from ₦18,750 to ₦30,000.
The cost of fancy number plates has been doubled from ₦200,000 to ₦400,000 while articulated vehicle number plates will now cost ₦90,000, representing a 200% increase from ₦30,000.
Motorcycle number plates, previously priced at ₦5,000, will now cost ₦12,000 while out-of-series number plates have increased from ₦50,000 to ₦150,000.
Similarly, the driver’s license fee for motorists has increased from ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 for a three-year validity and from ₦15,000 to ₦21,000 for a five-year license.
Motorcycle and tricycle drivers will now pay ₦7,000 and ₦11,000 for three-year and five-year licenses, respectively.
The JTB, which serves as the apex coordinating body for all revenue-collecting agencies at the federal and state levels, stated that the revision was necessitated by the “introduction of enhanced security features in the production of number plates and driver’s licenses as well as increased production costs.”
In a directive to all relevant agencies and Motor Vehicle Licensing Authorities (MVLAs) nationwide, the JTB ordered immediate implementation of the new rates from the effective date.
The agency also urged vehicle owners to apply or renew their documentation only through the official portal of the National Vehicle Identification System (NVIS) at nvis.frsc.gov.ng or through authorized MVLA offices.
The board maintains that the new price regime is necessary to reflect current economic realities, sustain the integrity of registration systems and enhance road safety through improved identification mechanisms.
While the JTB did not provide details on how the added revenue will be utilized, it reiterated that the adjustments were approved in alignment with its statutory responsibilities under the Personal Income Tax Act (as amended) and the harmonised tax framework applicable across Nigeria.
The announcement has already triggered public concern, particularly among commercial drivers and transport unions, many of whom argue the new costs may further increase the burden of transportation on citizens.
Market watchers expect the hike to contribute to higher logistics costs across multiple sectors, with possible inflationary implications on goods and services in the near term.
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