The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on the illegal use of dealer number plates, warning motorists and vehicle dealers against using the temporary plates for permanent or everyday driving.
The government said the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) had already apprehended 175 vehicles found to be violating regulations governing the use of dealer number plates.
The affected dealer plates, according to the government, will be confiscated, while the vehicles will undergo further investigation.
The state government, in a statement, stressed that dealer number plates are not a substitute for permanent vehicle registration.
It said the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018 restricts the use of dealer plates to specific and time-bound activities, including authorised test drives, vehicle inspections, delivery or collection of vehicles, and the movement of unregistered vehicles from ports or authorised dealer premises to designated locations.
The government warned that using dealer plates for private daily commuting, continuous movement on public roads or on vehicles already sold and awaiting permanent registration is illegal.
“Dealer number plates are issued strictly for specific, time-limited activities,” the government said, stressing that their misuse undermines the purpose of the registration system.
It further warned motorists and dealers against the use of unauthorised, fake, obscured or improperly displayed registration numbers.
According to the government, vehicles found contravening the regulations will face enforcement measures, including impoundment and prosecution under relevant traffic laws.
The administration said the enforcement drive was necessary to strengthen accountability and ensure that vehicles operating on Lagos roads can be properly identified.
It also linked proper vehicle identification to improved road safety and effective regulation of the state’s rapidly expanding transport system.
The government therefore urged vehicle dealers and motorists to comply fully with the regulations governing dealer number plates, warning that ignorance of the law would not shield offenders from enforcement action.
The latest crackdown signals a tougher stance by the Lagos State Government against practices that undermine the integrity of the vehicle registration system, as authorities move to ensure that every vehicle operating on the state’s roads is properly identified and legally registered.
