Alright, so I had to get my Nigerian driving license sorted, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a process. I thought I’d share my experience here in case anyone else is going through the same thing. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t the smoothest ride, but I got there in the end.
First things first, I had to fill out this form called MVA 11. You can get it from the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA). I went down to their office, grabbed the form, and filled it out right there. Nothing too complicated, just your standard personal information and stuff.
Next, I had to pay the fee. It wasn’t a fixed amount, and to be honest, the information I found online was all over the place. Some sites said around ₦6,350, others mentioned up to ₦10,450, and for longer periods, like 2 to 5 years, I saw numbers like ₦26,000 to ₦30,000. I ended up paying at the MLA office, and it was somewhere within that range. I wish I could give you an exact number, but it seems to vary.
After paying, I was directed to the FRSC Information Processing Centre (IPC). This is where they take your photo, fingerprints, and signature. It’s all very official. I had to wait in line for a bit, but once it was my turn, the whole thing took like 15 minutes.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I did:
- Went to the MLA office. Just walk in, no appointment needed.
- Got and filled out Form MVA 11. It’s right there at the office.
- Paid the fee. Just do this at the counter; they take cash and they have different fees for the license valid periods.
- Headed to the FRSC IPC. They’ll tell you where it is.
- Got my biometrics taken. Photo, fingerprints, and signature – the whole nine yards.
From what I understand, you can also start the application online through some website, but I preferred doing it in person to make sure everything was done correctly. Plus, I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so this was easier for me.
One thing I want to mention is that some places online said you need to go to a driving school and get some certificate. I didn’t do that, but maybe it’s a new requirement or something. It’s worth checking if you’re applying soon.
Anyway, that’s pretty much it. It took a few hours out of my day, but now I’m officially licensed to drive in Nigeria. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I’ll try my best to help based on my experience. Drive safe, everyone!
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