Starting Sunday, June 8, 2025, Nigerians will pay more to obtain driver’s licenses and number plates, as the Joint Tax Board (JTB) has officially approved a revised price structure. This decision, according to the JTB, follows the integration of enhanced security features into the production process, along with increasing incidental costs.

In a public announcement released in May 2025, the JTB, which coordinates tax-related matters across the country, confirmed that the price hike will affect all states and the Federal Capital Territory. The board emphasized that the new fees reflect efforts to strengthen the security of identification documents while also covering the rising cost of production inputs.

“The Joint Tax Board has approved a new price adjustment for motor vehicles and motorcycle number plates and driver’s licenses,” the announcement read. “This adjustment stems from the introduction of enhanced security features and increased production costs. The new price structure will take effect from Sunday, June 8, 2025.”

Breakdown of the New Prices

According to the JTB, the revised fees will apply uniformly nationwide. Below is a detailed breakdown of the new pricing structure for both driver’s licenses and number plates:

Driver’s License Fees

• Motor Vehicle Driver’s License

  • ₦15,000 for 3 years

  • ₦21,000 for 5 years

• Tricycle Driver’s License

  • ₦7,000 for 3 years

  • ₦11,000 for 5 years

Number Plate Fees

• Standard Private Vehicle Plate – ₦30,000

• Standard Commercial Vehicle Plate – ₦30,000

• Articulated Vehicle Plate – ₦90,000

• Dealer Vehicle Plate – ₦100,000

• Out-of-Season Plate – ₦150,000

• Fancy Vehicle Plate – ₦400,000

Government-Issued Number Plates

• Government Standard Vehicle Plate – ₦80,000

• Government Fancy Vehicle Plate – ₦120,000

Motorcycle Number Plates

• Standard Motorcycle Plate – ₦12,000

• Fancy Motorcycle Plate – ₦50,000

• Government Standard Motorcycle Plate – ₦20,000

• Government Fancy Motorcycle Plate – ₦50,000

The JTB has instructed all vehicle licensing authorities and related government agencies to enforce the new prices beginning from the effective date. The board reiterated that the new fees are critical to maintaining the integrity and security of Nigeria’s transportation identification system.

Why the Price Adjustment?

According to the JTB, this upward review was necessitated by two key factors: the introduction of advanced security features in the production process and the rising cost of materials and logistics. These enhancements aim to strengthen the authenticity of official documents and reduce the risks of counterfeiting or fraud.

Additionally, as inflation and global cost pressures continue to impact production across sectors, the fees were deemed due for a review to ensure sustainability and efficiency in service delivery.

Historical Context: Previous Fee Hikes

This is not the first time the JTB has revised the cost of obtaining driver’s licenses and number plates in Nigeria. Back in 2021, following its 147th meeting held in Kaduna on March 25, the JTB approved similar increases in response to similar cost and security-related concerns.

At that time:

• Standard vehicle number plates increased from ₦12,500 to ₦18,750

• Fancy number plates rose sharply from ₦80,000 to ₦200,000

• Articulated vehicle plates jumped from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000

• Motorcycle plates moved from ₦3,000 to ₦5,000

• Out-of-series plates went from ₦40,000 to ₦50,000

• Government fancy plates climbed from ₦15,000 to ₦20,000

Driver’s licenses also saw noticeable increases:

• 3-year licenses rose from ₦6,000 to ₦10,000

• 5-year licenses increased from ₦10,000 to ₦15,000

• Motorcycle/tricycle licenses (3 years) rose from ₦3,000 to ₦5,000

• Motorcycle/tricycle licenses (5 years) went from ₦5,000 to ₦8,000

The JTB attributed those adjustments to the same reasons now cited in 2025: enhanced security features and rising production expenditures.

What This Means for Vehicle Owners and Drivers

For millions of Nigerians, especially commercial drivers and logistics operators, the new prices will impact how they budget for vehicle-related documentation. While some vehicle owners may seek to renew their documents before the new rates take effect, others might delay applications due to the increased financial burden.

Nonetheless, the JTB has maintained that these changes are necessary to keep up with technological demands and ensure national security through better vehicle identification and driver verification systems.

Motorists, transport unions, and logistics operators are therefore advised to stay informed and comply with the updated rates. Failure to obtain valid documents at the new rates from June 8 onward may result in penalties or delays in processing.

Final Thoughts

As Nigeria continues to modernize its identification systems, fee adjustments like this reflect a broader trend toward digitization, enhanced security, and fiscal sustainability. While the increase will likely spark public debate over affordability, the government insists that the changes are crucial for ensuring efficiency, reliability, and security in vehicle registration and driver certification nationwide.

For now, vehicle owners and drivers across the country have just days to act before the new prices become law.