Vehicle & licence (FRSC)
How to renew your driver's licence in Nigeria.
Renew your FRSC driver's licence in 2026 — the exact steps, what to bring, the 3-year vs 5-year choice, capture booking, and how to get the temporary slip same-day.
A Nigerian driver's licence is issued jointly by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO). The physical card is printed centrally in Abuja and posted, which is why production takes weeks — but the official paper slip the FRSC issues at capture is accepted by police and FRSC as a valid temporary licence while you wait.
This guide covers the renewal route specifically (not a first-time licence, which adds the VIO driving test). You confirm your details, pay, attend a short biometric capture, and walk away with the slip. The card follows by post.
Renewal vs new issue — know which one you are doing
If you already hold a licence — even an expired one — you are renewing. Renewal skips the VIO road test. You only re-capture biometrics and confirm your data. A first-time applicant must pass the VIO test before the FRSC will issue, which is a different and longer process.
An expired licence is still a renewal, not a new issue. There is no extra penalty for renewing late in most states, but you are technically driving without a valid licence in the gap, so renew within 30 days of expiry.
The 3-year vs 5-year choice
The FRSC offers two validity terms: 3 years and 5 years. The 5-year licence costs more up front but works out cheaper per year and saves you one capture trip. Unless you expect your details to change (name after marriage, for example), the 5-year is the better value.
See the live fee for each term on the catalog page at /catalog/FRSC.LICENCE_RENEWAL — the government fee is published there and we pass it through with no markup.
What to bring to capture
Renewals need very little because the FRSC already has your record. Bring:
- Your existing licence or its licence number.
- Your NIN — the FRSC now ties the licence to your National Identification Number.
- A recent passport photograph (the centre also takes a fresh photo at capture).
- Proof of address if your address has changed since the last issue.
Step-by-step
The mechanics are the same whether you do it yourself on the FRSC portal or through an authorised agent like Docufy:
1. Apply and pay
The application captures your licence number, NIN, and the term you want (3 or 5 years). Payment is made online. Doing it through Docufy means we pre-fill from your existing licence so you only confirm what is already on file.
2. Book your capture slot
Biometric capture happens at an FRSC Drivers Licence Centre (DLC). You pick the centre and slot. This is the only in-person step and it cannot be skipped — fingerprints and a live photo are mandatory.
3. Attend capture
Capture takes under 20 minutes when you have an appointment. You leave with the temporary slip printed on the spot.
4. Collect the card
The physical card is produced centrally and delivered to your chosen DLC or posted, typically within the FRSC's 60-day production target. The slip carries you legally until then.
How long does the whole thing take?
The slip is same-day at capture. The card is the slow part — the FRSC targets 60 days for production and delivery, and in practice it ranges from three weeks to two months depending on the centre. Plan your renewal for 30–60 days before expiry so the old card and the new one overlap.
Renewing other vehicle papers at the same time
Your driver's licence is separate from your vehicle papers. If your vehicle licence, road worthiness or insurance is also due, handle those through the FRSC agency hub at /agencies/FRSC — bundling the renewals in one sitting saves a second trip. See the companion guide on vehicle licence renewal cost below.
Questions
Frequently asked.
How much does it cost to renew a driver's licence in Nigeria in 2026?
The government fee depends on whether you choose the 3-year or 5-year term and is published live on the catalog page at /catalog/FRSC.LICENCE_RENEWAL. The 5-year term costs more up front but is cheaper per year. Docufy passes the FRSC fee through at the published rate and charges a fixed, visible service fee.
Do I need to take a driving test to renew?
No. The VIO road test is only for first-time licences. Renewal is biometric capture and document verification — no test.
My licence has already expired. Can I still renew it?
Yes. An expired licence is still renewed, not re-issued from scratch, and the fee is the same. You are technically driving without a valid licence in the gap, so renew promptly.
Can I drive on the slip while waiting for the card?
Yes. The FRSC slip issued at capture is accepted by police and FRSC checkpoints as a valid temporary driver's licence until the physical card arrives.
Do I need my NIN to renew?
Yes. The FRSC now links the driver's licence to your NIN, so you need your National Identification Number to complete a renewal.
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