FRSC launches contactless biometric drivers licence system to end delays

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has introduced a new contactless biometric capture system aimed at making the process of obtaining a driver’s licence faster, seamless, and fully digital across Nigeria.

The innovation, according to the Corps, will eliminate the use of temporary licences and long waiting periods that have plagued applicants for years.

Speaking during the flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign on Monday in Abuja, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the initiative is part of the agency’s plan to fully digitalise its operations.

He disclosed that the Corps had upgraded its printing facilities to handle increased production and clear existing backlogs ahead of November 2025, ensuring instant licence issuance.

“It’s seamless now. You don’t need to place your hand on a device to get your fingerprint. The system captures it automatically and synchronizes your details with our database,” Mohammed explained.

“This is a contactless biometric system that will revolutionise our operations. Once you’re captured, you get your driver’s licence immediately, no more temporary licences or waiting for weeks or months,” he added.

Mohammed confirmed that the new system would take effect this month, promising a fully digital, one-stop process integrated with the national database.

On road safety performance, the Corps Marshal revealed that the FRSC had recorded a decline in road crash fatalities compared to the previous year.

According to him, data from the 2024 Operation Zero (December 15, 2024 – January 15, 2025) indicated 432 deaths and 2,070 injuries from 533 crashes. Between January and September 2025, there were 3,433 deaths and 22,162 injuries in 6,858 crashes, reflecting a relative improvement in safety outcomes.

He assured that the Corps would intensify its Ember Months operations, focusing on campaigns against distracted driving, fatigue, overloading, and the use of mobile phones while driving.

Mohammed also announced that the FRSC, in partnership with the KRSD Road Safety Foundation, will host the International Conference on Road Crash Victims for Africa from November 16 to 18, 2025.

He said the event aligns with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, and will focus on improving post-crash care across the continent.

During a visit to the FRSC Driver’s Licence Print Farm, the Deputy Corps Marshal (Motor Vehicle Administration), Aliyu Datsama, said the Corps had scaled up production capacity to address the backlog of unissued licences.

“We work 24/7 now because of the backlog we had. It was about 800,000, but we’ve reduced it to 400,000,” Datsama said.

“Our daily production rate is 40,000, and in the next few weeks, we’ll clear everything, by the grace of God,” he added.

The FRSC reiterated its commitment to leveraging technology to improve service delivery and ensure safer roads across the country.

“The goal is not just to make licensing easier, but to make our roads safer for all Nigerians,” Mohammed said.