The Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin issuing international driver’s licences in December 2022.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday in Lagos by the director of the state’s Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Mr. Akin-George Fashola, through the deputy director of public affairs for the ministry of transportation, Mr. Bolanle Ogunlola.
Fashola said this as he received Mr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, who was in town for an official visit to the VIS Head Office in Ojodu, Lagos.
All parties, according to him, were involved in the issuing process as it was being finalised.
The International Certificates for Vehicles and International Driver’s Permits are issued in accordance with international regulations, according to the VIS Director.
According to him, the permission comprised an examination of the vehicle and the class or description of the vehicle as described in section 326 (U) of the 2018 Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL).
Additionally, Fashola stated that private registered automobiles that were less than five years old from the date of manufacture would not be subject to the VIS’s required computerised routine inspection.
“The mandatory computerised routine inspection is stated in schedule 1, section 326 (10) of the State’s TSRL, 2018, noting that Pre-Registration inspections (Auto Vin) would have recorded such vehicles for exemption.
“All that will be required from the owners of such vehicles is to get Exemption Certificate from the VIS.
“The exclusion is one of the ways to prevent the Computerised Vehicles Inspection Centres across the state from being over clogged with vehicles,” Fashola said.
The director also said that, as required by section 12 (2) of the State’s 2018 TSRL, the VIS has started cracking down on rickety commercial vehicles lacking sufficient documentation and safety regulations.
In order to ensure that Lagos roads were clear of shaky automobiles, he asked other law enforcement authorities for their assistance.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, addressed the Vehicle Inspection Officers and urged them to carry out their duties in accordance with the VIS’s mandate.
According to Toriola, all motor vehicles operating on state roads should adhere to international best practises 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.
