The Lagos State Government has announced that it has reached an agreement to start issuing international driver’s licenses as of this month, December 2022.
When welcoming the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, during an official visit to the VIS Head Office in Ojodu, Lagos, on Thursday, the state director of the Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, Engr. Akin-George Fashola said that all stakeholders had been involved and the issuance process had been completed.
Fashola stated that section 326 (U) of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, (TSRL) 2018, which specifies international requirements, is followed in the issuance of International Certificates for Vehicles and International Driver’s Permits.
He listed some of these requirements as follows: class or description of the vehicle and examination of the vehicle.
He also said privately registered vehicles that are within five years from the date of manufacture shall be exempted from the mandatory computerized routine inspection carried out by the VIS as 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 and all that would be required from the owners of such vehicles is to get Exemption Certificate from the VIS.
Fashola said the exclusion is one of the ways to prevent the computerized vehicle inspection centers across the state from being over-clogged with vehicles.
The Director also disclosed that the VIS has commenced clamp down on rickety commercial vehicles without proper documentation and safety standards as prescribed, in section 12 (2) of the State’s TSRL, 2018.
He solicited the support of other law enforcement agencies in ensuring that Lagos roads are free of rickety vehicles.
Addressing the Vehicle Inspection Officers, Toriola enjoined them to work in line with the mandate of the VIS by ensuring that all motor vehicles plying the roads across the state meet safety standards in line with International best practices.
He equally urged the directorate to intensify its advocacy and safety drive, especially during this yuletide season, calling on officers to come up with new initiatives that will improve their mode of operations.
