Lagos car owners will soon get an international driving license.

The Lagos State Government has announced that it would start issuing International Driver’s Permits to all registered car owners in the state in December 2022.

The State’s director, Akin-George Fashola, revealed that all stakeholders have been involved and the issuance process has been finalized while receiving the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, who was on an official visit to the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) head office at Ojodu, Lagos.

The Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL) 2018, specifically section 326 (U), lists a number of international requirements, some of which, according to the VIS director, include: class or description of vehicle and examination on the vehicle. He also said that the issuance of international certificates for vehicles and international driver’s permits is in accordance with those requirements.

According to schedule 1, section 326 (10) of the State’s TSRL, 2018, Fashola stated that privately registered vehicles that are less than five years old from the date of manufacture shall be exempt from the required computerized routine inspection carried out by the VIS. He noted that pre-registration inspections (Auto Vin) would have recorded such vehicles for exemption and that all that would be required of the owners of such vehicles is to obtain an Exemption Certificate from the VIN.

He said that one method of preventing the state’s Computerized Automobiles Inspection Centers from being overloaded with vehicles is the exclusion.

The director also disclosed that, in accordance with section 12 (2) of the State’s 2018 TSRL, the VIS has started cracking down on rickety commercial vehicles lacking proper documentation and safety standards. In order to ensure that Lagos roads remain clear of shaky automobiles, he enlisted the assistance of other law enforcement organizations.

Speaking to the vehicle inspection officers, Toriola urged them to carry out the VIS’s responsibility by making sure that all motor vehicles operating on state highways adhere to international best practices for safety.

Additionally, he asked the directorate to step up its advocacy and safety efforts, particularly during this holiday season, and exhorted officers to develop fresh ideas that would enhance their working methods.