Over 6,000 Driver’s Licences Remain Uncollected in Ondo State, Says FRSC

Thousands of Unclaimed Licences Await Collection in Ondo State

FRSC, The Federal Road Safety Corps Ondo State Command, has raised concerns over the large number of uncollected driver’s licences in the state. According to the State Sector Commander, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, a total of 6,038 licences remain unclaimed despite efforts to notify applicants.

Dr. Ibitoye disclosed this during an interview in Akure on Sunday, highlighting that while 7,213 licences were carried over from 2024 into 2025, an additional 3,097 licences have been received from the production plant between January and now.

“So far, we have received a total of 10,038 driving licences. However, only 4,272 have been collected. This means that 6,038 driving licences are still lying unclaimed at the Driver’s Licence Centre under the Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue,” he stated.

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FRSC Urges Applicants to Collect Their Licences

The FRSC commander urged applicants who have yet to collect their licences to visit the Board of Internal Revenue office in Alagbaka, Ondo State, to claim them. He noted that many people complain about not receiving their licences, even when thousands are available for collection.

“Many people go around complaining that their driving licences have not been produced by the FRSC, yet we have thousands of uncollected licences sitting idle at our centres,” he emphasized.

Dr. Ibitoye pointed out that a valid driving licence is the only legal document that permits individuals to drive on Nigerian roads. He warned that those caught driving without a valid licence would face legal sanctions.

Driving Without a Valid Licence Is a Crime

Reiterating the importance of having a valid driver’s licence, the FRSC commander cautioned against driving without proper documentation. He stressed that any driver without a valid licence has no legal right to operate a vehicle on public roads and may face serious consequences if involved in an accident.

“An unlicensed driver has no right to operate a vehicle on public roads. If such a person gets involved in an accident, the law will not be lenient,” he warned.

He further urged individuals who were still driving without valid licences to take immediate action to regularize their documents.

“Driving without a licence is a serious offence. It not only makes you an impostor on the road, but if anything happens, you may not escape the consequences under the law,” he added.

Why Many Licences Remain Uncollected

The issue of uncollected driver’s licences is not new in Nigeria. Many applicants fail to claim their licences due to several reasons, including:

1. Lack of Awareness: Some applicants may not be aware that their licences are ready for collection.
2. Change of Location: Applicants who have relocated to other states may not return to collect their licences.
3. Procrastination: Many individuals fail to prioritize collecting their licences, assuming they can retrieve them at any time.
4. Irregular Notifications: Some applicants claim they do not receive notifications from the FRSC or the issuing centres about their licences.

Dr. Ibitoye encouraged all applicants to check the status of their licences and collect them promptly to avoid legal issues.

The Legal Consequences of Driving Without a Licence

Under Nigerian law, driving without a valid licence is a punishable offence. The FRSC has repeatedly warned that unlicensed drivers pose a significant risk to road safety. In the event of an accident, drivers without licences may face severe legal repercussions, including fines, impoundment of their vehicles, or even imprisonment in extreme cases.

Authorities have also increased patrols and enforcement efforts to ensure compliance. The FRSC has been conducting routine checks to apprehend drivers without valid licences, and those found guilty are penalized according to the law.

How to Collect Your Driver’s Licence

For those who have applied for a driver’s licence but have yet to collect it, the FRSC advises the following steps:

1. Visit the Driver’s Licence Centre: Check with the centre where the application was made.
2. Confirm Availability: Use the FRSC online portal to verify if your licence is ready for collection.
3. Provide Identification: Bring your temporary licence or any form of identification to collect the permanent licence.
4. Follow Up Regularly: If your licence is not yet available, keep checking with the issuing centre to avoid unnecessary delays.

Government’s Efforts to Improve Licence Collection

To address the issue of uncollected licences, the FRSC has been working on various initiatives, including:

• Improved Communication: Sending SMS notifications and emails to applicants once their licences are ready.
• Decentralization of Collection Points: Setting up more collection centres to make it easier for applicants to pick up their licences.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating drivers on the importance of timely licence collection through media channels.

The Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue is also collaborating with the FRSC to streamline the collection process and ensure that more applicants claim their licences.

With over 6,000 unclaimed driver’s licences in Ondo State, the FRSC is urging applicants to take action and collect their licences immediately. Driving without a valid licence is not only illegal but also poses a risk to road safety. The FRSC remains committed to ensuring that all drivers comply with the law and obtain their necessary documentation.

Residents of Ondo State who have applied for licences should visit the Board of Internal Revenue office in Alagbaka to check if their licences are ready. The FRSC also encourages the public to spread awareness and ensure that more drivers are legally certified to operate on Nigerian roads.