CALABAR –The Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in Cross River State has announced plans to commence a statewide sensitisation campaign aimed at improving compliance with official driver’s licence acquisition procedures among motorists NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The Principal Traffic Route Commander in charge of National Driver’s Licence, VI Section, Mrs. Grace Iwara, disclosed this during an interview in Calabar, noting that the initiative is designed to address widespread delays, irregularities, and poor understanding of the proper licensing process.
According to her, the campaign will focus on educating motorists on the mandatory steps involved in obtaining a valid driver’s licence, while discouraging the practice of bypassing official procedures through third parties.
“We are trying to streamline and redesign the process to eliminate delays in driver’s licence issuance and ensure that people obtain their licences properly, in line with current standards in Nigeria,” Iwara said.
She explained that the sensitisation drive would involve collaboration among the Vehicle Inspection Office, driving schools, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to ensure that drivers are adequately trained, tested, and documented before being certified to use public roads.
Iwara stressed that possession of a valid driver’s licence remains a basic requirement for driving, describing it as a critical form of identification and proof of competence.
“Without a driver’s licence, you are not qualified to drive or to be on the road,” she said, adding that the document serves as evidence of a driver’s eligibility, particularly in the event of accidents or legal disputes.
She further clarified that the driver’s licence acquisition process is not new but has been in place for several years, noting that many drivers remain unaware of the required procedures or avoid them due to fear of mandatory tests.
As part of the process, applicants are expected to undergo documentation at the VIO, attend an accredited driving school, pass a computer-based test, and successfully complete physical and visual assessments before final biometric capture by the FRSC.
The VIO official said preliminary data from December showed that while over 200 applicants were processed, a significant number failed initial tests and were referred for retraining and retesting, underscoring the need for increased public education.
She urged motorists and parents to take road safety seriously by ensuring that only properly trained and licensed individuals operate vehicles.
“The sensitisation is to help people understand that obtaining a driver’s licence is not a threat but a safeguard for the driver and for the public,” she said.
The sensitisation campaign is expected to be rolled out across the state in the coming weeks.
