“No foreign driver’s licence is permitted to be used on Nigerian roads” — FRSC commander

A Federal Road Safety Corps official has clarified Nigeria’s position on the use of foreign driving licences, stating that only locally issued licences are valid for driving on Nigerian roads.

The clarification was made during a live television programme where the official addressed concerns about whether visitors can legally drive with international permits.

The comments have since drawn public attention to existing traffic regulations in the country.

Clarification on Foreign Licences

During the interview, the FRSC representative maintained that foreign-issued driving licences are not recognised for use on Nigerian roads.

Federal Road Safety Corps official said:

“No foreign driver’s licence is permitted to be used to drive on our road.”

When asked directly whether an international driving licence is acceptable in Nigeria, the official responded firmly, reinforcing the legal position under existing regulations.

Interviewer: “Can you drive with your international driver’s licence in Nigeria?”

The official replied: “The answer is simply no. Because if you get to section 82 of the national road traffic regulations, it states that no foreign driver’s licence is permitted to be used to drive on our road.”

International Driving Permit Explained

The FRSC official further explained the role of the International Driving Permit (IDP), noting that it serves as a temporary travel document for motorists moving between countries.

The official added: “It’s simple. There’s something we call international driver’s permit, IDP. Some of our men go with Nigerian licence abroad.”

He continued: “Yes. When they get there, they accompany their driver’s licence with international driver’s permit. That permit will give them opportunity to process that state’s driver’s licence.”

Rules for Foreign Drivers in Nigeria

The official also explained that the same arrangement applies to foreigners entering Nigeria with driving credentials from other countries.

“The same thing is applicable if you’re coming here with a foreign driver’s licence. You’re supposed to come with a permit that you would use for that period, spending the time, not more than three months, to process our own national driver’s licence.”

The statement suggests that visitors are allowed a limited period to drive using a recognised permit while transitioning to a Nigerian-issued licence, in line with national road traffic regulations.