FRSC Launches Contactless Biometric System to Make Driver’s Licence Processing Faster

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced a major upgrade to Nigeria’s driver’s licence process, introducing a contactless biometric capture system that will make obtaining licences faster, more efficient, and fully digital.

Speaking at the flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign on Monday in Abuja, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the new system eliminates the need for temporary licences and lengthy waiting periods.

According to him, the initiative is part of FRSC’s plan to fully digitalise its operations and deliver instant licence issuance nationwide.

“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.

“At the end of the process, once you’re captured, you get your driver’s licence immediately. There will be no more temporary licences or long waiting periods — no more two weeks, one month, or a year before receiving your permanent licence,” he added.

Mohammed noted that the contactless biometric system would be launched this month, with upgraded printing facilities ready to handle the increased production and clear existing backlogs by November 2025.

The FRSC boss also disclosed that Nigeria has recorded a decline in road crash fatalities compared to last year. Between January and September 2025, there were 3,433 deaths and 22,162 injuries from 6,858 crashes, marking an improvement over previous years.

He added that the Corps will intensify its Ember Months campaign to combat distracted driving, fatigue, overloading, and mobile phone use while driving.

Additionally, Mohammed announced that Nigeria will host the International Conference on Road Crash Victims for Africa from November 16–18, 2025, in partnership with the KRSD Road Safety Foundation, aligning with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.

During an inspection of the FRSC Driver’s Licence Print Farm, Deputy Corps Marshal Aliyu Datsama said the Corps has increased its production capacity to clear pending 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. Our daily production rate is 40,000, and in the next few weeks, we’ll clear everything, by the grace of God,” Datsama stated.

The FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to using technology to enhance road safety and service delivery nationwide.

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