Lagos Reiterates Ban on Permanent Use of Dealer Number Plates in Nigeria

Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation, issued the warning in a statement on Sunday in Lagos. Ogunlola said the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, restricts dealer plates to specific, time-limited activities. Permitted uses include authorised test drives, vehicle inspections, vehicle delivery or collection, and movement of unregistered vehicles directly from ports or authorised dealer premises to designated locations.

Their use for private daily commuting, continuous operation on public roads, or on vehicles already sold is prohibited, Ogunlola said. She noted that the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) had apprehended 175 vehicles for violating regulations governing dealer number plates. Ogunlola said dealer plates recovered from the affected vehicles would be confiscated, while the vehicles would undergo further investigation.