The Lagos State Government has reiterated its ban on the permanent or everyday use of dealer number plates by motorists and vehicle dealers. The Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
Ogunlola warned motorists and vehicle dealers against using dealer number plates for purposes not permitted by law.
She said the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, restricts dealer plates to specific and time-limited activities, including authorised test drives, vehicle inspections, vehicle delivery or collection, and the movement of unregistered vehicles.
According to her, such movement must be directly from ports or authorised dealer premises to designated locations.
“Their use for private daily commuting, continuous operation on public roads, or on vehicles already sold is prohibited,” she said.
Ogunlola disclosed that the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) had apprehended 175 vehicles for violating regulations governing the use of dealer number plates. She said the recovered dealer plates would be confiscated, while the affected vehicles would undergo further investigation.
The director warned that vehicles operating with unauthorised, fake, obscured or improperly used registration numbers would face enforcement action, including impoundment and prosecution under relevant traffic laws.
She urged motorists and vehicle dealers to comply fully with regulations governing dealer number plates, noting that the measure was aimed at promoting accountability, accurate vehicle identification and safety on Lagos roads.
Hadizat Giwa