Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: Renewing your car papers in Nigeria means renewing four things every year: your vehicle licence, roadworthiness certificate, third-party insurance (₦15,000) and, in Lagos, the annual Proof of Ownership Certificate (₦1,000). In Lagos you pay online at portal.autoreg.ng; in Abuja at selfservice.fctevreg.com. Budget roughly ₦25,000–₦35,000 for a private saloon car, including insurance, before any agent fees.
| Document | Issued by | Renewal | What it proves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle licence | State motor licensing authority (in Lagos, MVAA via AutoReg) | Annually | The car is registered and licensed to be on the road |
| Roadworthiness certificate | State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS/VIO) | Annually | The car has passed a safety inspection |
| Third-party insurance | A NAICOM-licensed insurer | Annually | You are covered for damage you cause others (compulsory) |
| Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) | State licensing office (annual since July 2023 in Lagos) | Annually | Who legally owns the vehicle |
| Hackney permit and other permits | State authorities | Annually | Commercial vehicles only |
The annual POC was approved nationwide by the Joint Tax Board in May 2023 at ₦1,000, and Lagos began collecting it on 1 July 2023 alongside other vehicle papers.
| Item (private saloon car, Lagos) | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Vehicle licence | ₦3,500 – ₦6,000 (depends on engine size) |
| Vehicle licence + roadworthiness + POC and other fees (combined estimate) | ₦10,000 – ₦15,000 |
| Third-party insurance | ₦15,000 (fixed by NAICOM) |
| Estimated total | ₦25,000 – ₦35,000 |
| Agent/delivery service (optional) | Extra service fee |
Licence range and combined estimate as reported by WithinNigeria (June 2026), citing gazetted Lagos rates and a 360 AutoSecure estimate. The AutoReg portal calculates your exact fee from your vehicle record. SUVs with larger engines and commercial vehicles cost more. If you upgrade to comprehensive insurance, budget at least 5% of your car’s value instead of ₦15,000; see our third-party vs comprehensive guide.
Lagos State’s Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) runs renewals through the AutoReg Customer Portal, the only official online channel in the state.
There is no single national renewal portal. The eVRS platform that served several states has suspended online renewals, so in many states you still renew at the State Board of Internal Revenue or Motor Licensing Office. Licensed agents (such as CarPaddy and CarReg) offer renewals with delivery in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja for a service fee.
Insurance is the one paper you should buy directly from a licensed insurer, not from touts at licensing offices, where fake certificates are common. Buy online from insurers such as Leadway or AXA Mansard, then confirm it on askniid.org or with *565*11#. Under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025 you can now show your certificate on your phone. Here’s how to verify your car insurance.
If you bought a used car, renewing the papers in the previous owner’s name isn’t enough: you need a change of ownership so the papers reflect you. Follow our change of ownership guide. Shopping for your next car? Browse verified listings on LuxuryCars.ng.
For a private saloon car, expect roughly ₦10,000–₦15,000 for the licence, roadworthiness and related fees, plus ₦15,000 for third-party insurance, about ₦25,000–₦35,000 in total. AutoReg shows your exact fee.
Yes, in Lagos (portal.autoreg.ng) and Abuja (selfservice.fctevreg.com). You still collect the printed documents in person and take the car for roadworthiness inspection.
Yes. Since 1 September 2025, Lagos renewals require a Payer ID, NIN or NIN-linked phone number.
An annual ₦1,000 certificate confirming the legal owner of a vehicle, approved by the Joint Tax Board and collected in Lagos since July 2023.
Use verify.autoreglive.com to confirm a renewed Lagos licence is genuine.
Sources: WithinNigeria, “Vehicle Licence Renewal Nigeria 2026” (June 2026); Lagos MVAA/AutoReg; Joint Tax Board resolution on annual POC (May 2023) as reported by Radio Nigeria and TheCable; Lagos VIS statements on computerised inspection (Nairametrics, BusinessDay); NAICOM third-party rate. Fees can change; confirm on your state portal.
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