What an out-of-series plate is
Most vehicles get a plate from FRSC's standard running sequence. An out-of-series plate sits outside that sequence, without necessarily being a fully customised set of letters and numbers.
It sits between a standard plate and a fancy one: not the default run, but not a personal choice of characters either. Think of it as a step up from whatever you would be issued automatically, without going as far as picking your own letters and digits.
The fee, nationally and in Lagos
FRSC's national price for an out-of-series plate is ₦150,000. This took effect from 8 Jun 2025, alongside the other plate prices reviewed the same day.
Lagos MVAA's own schedule lists the same amount, ₦150,000, for a new registration. The two figures line up here, unlike a dealer's plate, where the national and Lagos prices differ.
This fee covers the plate only. Weighing, change of ownership, capital gains tax and the vehicle licence itself are all separate charges on a new registration.
Who typically orders one
An out-of-series plate suits an owner who wants a plate that stands apart from the default sequence without going as far as a fully personalised fancy plate. Government and corporate fleets sometimes fall into this category too, though the pricing above applies to a standard private registration.
If your interest is really about choosing your own letters and numbers, a fancy plate is the product you want, not an out-of-series one. Request either through FRSC's nvis.frsc.gov.ng or your state's licensing channel when you register or revalidate, rather than expecting a walk-in agent to source one informally.
How it differs from a fancy plate
The two are easy to confuse because both cost more than a standard plate and both feel like an upgrade. A fancy plate lets you choose the characters. An out-of-series plate does not; it simply falls outside FRSC's normal running sequence.
They are priced differently too. A fancy plate carries a higher fee nationally than an out-of-series one, so check which product you are actually being quoted before you pay. A quote sitting close to the fancy-plate figure for what should be an out-of-series plate is worth querying before you pay it, not after.
What to confirm before you order
Ask your registering station to confirm which product you are paying for, in writing or on your receipt. "Out-of-series" and "fancy" are sometimes used loosely by agents, and paying for one while expecting the other is an easy way to be overcharged.
Confirm the current fee against MVAA's published schedule or FRSC's own list before you hand over cash, since a quote well above ₦150,000 is worth questioning.
For more on plate types and their fees, see the licences and vehicles hub and our FRSC vehicle licence renewal guide. The fees tool covers other government charges too.