Some drivers and car owners are worried about how to check the owner of a vehicle by its plate number in Nigeria. Are you one of those people? If yes, you will find out how to check a number plate in Nigeria. Checking the ownership of a vehicle by its plate number can help you to verify if it’s a legit vehicle, and you can also discover if the owner has been involved in an accident or crime. Whether you need to verify vehicle documents, trace a car involved in an incident, or ensure the vehicle you want to buy is legit, this guide will help you. Let’s get started.
Two Reasons to Verify That Plate Now
1. Know the Authenticity of a Vehicle’s Documents
Vehicle theft and cloning of registration papers are common issues in Nigeria. Therefore, checking the plate number will help you verify if the vehicle’s registration details match its documents. It’s important for anyone buying a used car or tokunbo, as it helps you avoid buying a stolen vehicle or one with fake documents.
2. Tracking if the Owner of a Car Was Involved in an Accident or Crime
If a car is involved in an accident or crime, you’ll be able to trace its owner. This can help in hit-and-run cases or any situation where the vehicle is used in criminal activities. It’s an easier way to identify the responsible party, who will be held accountable for their actions.
How to Check Plate Number in Nigeria
I’m going to cover 4 working methods that I have personally used to check plate numbers in Nigeria.
1. Online Verification via the FRSC Portal
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has an online database for people to verify vehicle registration information. Since it’s online, it is a convenient method and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Go to nvis.frsc.gov.ng/VehicleManagement/VerifyPlateNo
- Enter the number plate
- Click Submit. You should now have information to use for verifying the plate number
Make sure you enter the plate number correctly to avoid errors in the verification process. After you have clicked on the Submit button, the system will display the vehicle’s details.
2. FRSC SMS Verification Service
For those who may not have access to the internet, the FRSC also allows you to use a mobile SMS service to verify plate numbers. This method is for people who prefer or do not have access to mobile data connection at the moment.
So, not long ago, the FRSC notified the general public about this code for verification of vehicle number plate. The code was initially 33810 but has been changed to 33324. To check a number plate in Nigeria, send an SMS ‘verifyplateno space (vehicle registration no.)’ to 33324. (eg. SMS ‘verifyplateno ABC123DE’ to 33324).
Note that this FRSC SMS service will cost you 50 naira only. You will receive an SMS response within 15 seconds. So, it’s almost instantly. The SMS you’ll receive will be something like:
Number Plate has been produced by FRSC and assigned to Toyota Corolla on 01/03/2024
If the registration number is not correct or not authentic, it will return ‘Invalid/Wrong Number Plate’. As in most countries, Nigeria also requires you to have an active insurance policy to complete a vehicle registration and an e-generated Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) issued.
3. Visit Your State’s Vehicle Licensing or Motor Vehicle Administration Agency
In cases where online and SMS services are insufficient, please visit the local motor vehicle licensing office nearest to you. However, if the said license plate is a Port Harcourt registration, for example, you might need to visit the licensing office in PH in person. The office may or may not release certain information about a vehicle registration to you. Also, bring any relevant documents, such as your identification and a written request for the vehicle information. You need these documents to verify your identity and the legitimacy of your request.
Present your request to the staff who will process your request. It might take some time. The advantage of visiting the vehicle licensing office is that it provides more personalized access to vehicle verification and is helpful when you need detailed information or have specific questions that require direct assistance.
4. Use an app that checks vehicle plate number in Nigeria
In my case, I use ConfirmMe. It’s a good app with fairly accurate vehicle information. The problem is that it has too many ads, but you can pay to remove the ads. After installing the app, type in the plate number or car registration number and click on the Verify button to see details of the vehicle, including the issued and expiry dates. Sometimes, it takes 30 seconds, but sometimes it takes longer and can be frustrating.
If you are just about to buy a car, you can use this to check the car history. It has additional features that you can use to set a reminder for CMR, vehicle license, roadworthiness, driver license, etc. The registration details you will see include registration LGA, state, insurance policy number, car information (manufacturer, model, and color), and license plate number.
With the multiple methods mentioned here, you can now check and verify a license plate number in Nigeria. If you love it online, use the FRSC portal or the app method. Otherwise, use SMS verification or visit the nearest motor licensing office in your state to verify the vehicle ownership. Make sure you only pay for a vehicle with legit papers to avoid issues of stolen vehicles or forged documents.
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