FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION ACT: NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, 2001

NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, 2001

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTION

Part 1: REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

1. Application for registration of vehicle

2. Registration and assignment of identification mark

3. Categories of registration of vehicles

4. Ascertainment of weight

5. Registration book

6. Change of vehicle ownership

7. Change of vehicle colour

8. Supply of vehicle particulars

9. Unauthorised entry, etc. in the registration book

10. Appeal

PART II - LICENCES FOR VEHICLES

11. Issuance

12. Power to refuse licence in certain cases

13. Appeal

14. Refund of portion of fee paid

15. Display of a vehicle licence

16. Replacement of lost or effaced licence

17. Change of licence

18. Licence on change of vehicle classification

PART III – SPECIAL TRADE LICENCE

19. Special trade licence

20. Establishment and registration of driving schools

PART IV – IDENTIFICATION MARK

21. Number plates, etc

PART V – DRIVER’S LICENCE

22. Classes of licence

23. Photograph of the applicant

24. Driving test

25. Driver’s licence, etc.

26. Conduct of driving test

27. Learner’s permit

28. Certificate as to group of licence

29. Learner’s sign

30. Replacement of defaced or illegible licence

31. Lost or stolen driver’s licence

32. replacement of lost or stolen licence

33. report of convictions to Central Motor Registry.

PART VI – TAXIS, STAGE CARRIAGES, OMNIBUSES AND MOTOR CYCLE

FOR HIRE

34. Conditions for licensing

35. Use and construction of taxis

36. Use and construction of state carriage

37. The use and construction of omnibuses

38. Use and construction of multi purpose vehicle

39. Private use of stage carriage or omnibus

40. Route restriction

41. Use and construction of motorcycle

42. Power of the appropriate authority to fix fares

43. Table of fares and time-table to be carried and exhibited

44. Person in charge of stage carriage or omnibus

45. Smoking while driving

46. Taxis for hire

47. Taxi drivers not to stop vehicles longer than necessary

48. Taxi driver not to refuse to be hired without reasonable excuse

49. Procedure regarding property left in vehicle

50. Person traveling in stage carriage or omnibus

51. Passenger manifest.

PART VII – USE AND CONSTRUCTION

52. General conditions for use of motor vehicle

53. Tyres, fire extinguishers, etc

54. Braking system

55. Silencers and exhaust

56. Lighting system

57. Horns

58. Driving mirrors

59. Wheel alignment

60. Steering apparatus

61. Springs

62. Laminated windscreen and safety glass

63. Windscreen wipers

64. Mudguards

65. Speedometers

66. Spirit tankers

67. General

68. Motor Cycle Leg guard

69. Exemption and issuance of permits

70. Conditions for use of trailer

71. Prohibition of motor vehicle with right hand drive

72. Illuminated indicators, etc.

73. Examination of commercial and private vehicle

74. Vehicles not to exceed thirty two tones gross weight

75. Motor vehicles to have reflex reflectors

76. Trailers to be equipped with reflectors

77. ascertainment of weight

78. breach of Regulations.

PART VIII – DRIVING

79. Driving speed limit, etc

80. Rules of the road

81. Rules of the road and commercial vehicles, etc

82. Provisions relating to motor cycle rider and passenger

83. Molestation or obstruction of the driver

84. Stationary vehicles and prevention of noise

85. Punishment for contravention

PART IX – REMOVAL OF VEHICLE

86. Removal of vehicles from highways

87. Provision relating to removed vehicles park, etc

88. Procedure for reclaiming removed vehicle

89. Failure to reclaim vehicle

PART X - SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE DRIVING OF

VEHICLES

90. Maximum hours of driving

PART XI – SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EXPRESSWAY

91. Prohibition of animal on expressway

92. Prohibition of motor cyclist, etc

93. Agricultural machines /machineries

94. Loading

95. Boarding, etc of vehicles

96. Provision as to weight, etc

97. Provisions as to length

98. Protruding Loads

99. Speed limits

100. Stoppage on the express way

101. U-turns, etc

102. Parking

PART XII – MISCELLANEOUS MOTOR TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

103. Marks on vehicles to be clear and legible at all times

104. Power to inspect vehicle

105. Report of road accident

106. Provisions relating to exempted bodies

PART XIII – PROVISIONS RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS AND TRAFFIC

OTHER THAN MOTOR TRAFFIC

107. Provisions relating to traffic other than motor vehicles

108. Bicycles, pedestrians, animals, etc

PART XIV – GENERAL

109. Exemption of vehicles and plant used in construction and fire engine, etc

110. Exemption in respect of registered military vehicles

111. Revision of the Highway Codes

112. Offences in relation to licences, etc

113. Offences against these Regulations

114. Power to issue notice of offence

115. Establishment of Safety Units

116. Power to make other regulations

117. Amendments, etc

118. Interpretation

119. Repeal of National Road Traffic Regulations, 1997.

120. Citation

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULES 1

1. National Motor Vehicle Registration Application Form – MVA 1

2. Application for Out of Series and Fancy Number Plates – MVA 2

3. motor Vehicle Change of Category /Re- Registration Application Form –

MVA3

4. Vehicle Registration Book – MVA 4

5. Vehicle Change of Ownership Application Form MVA5

6. Motor Vehicle Colour Change Applicatoin Form – MVA 6

7. Motor Vehicle Replacement of Engine Notification Form – MVA 7

8. National Vehicle Licence – MVA 8

9. Proof of Ownership Certificate – MVA 9

10. Application for Renewal of Dealer’s Licence Form – MVA 10

11. Trade Licence Application Form (Spare Parts Dealers) – MVA 10B

12. Trade Licence Application Form (Mechanic Workshop / Registrations) –

MVA 10B

13. Motor Vehicle /Motorcycle Dealership rRegistration Form –MVA 10C

14. Driving School Registration Form – MVA 10D

15. Application for Fresh National Driver’s Licence – MVA 11

16. Application for Fresh National Driver’s (Renewal/Replacement)– MVA12

17. Application Drivers’ Medical/physical Examination Form – MVA 13

18. Statement of Result of Driving Test – MVA 16

19. Learner’s Permit – MVA 15

20. National Driver’s Licence Format – MVA 16

21. Learner’s Sign – MVA 17

SCHEDULE 2

22. Passenger Manifest – MVA 21

SCHEDULE 3

23. Certificate of Road Worthiness – MVA 22

24. Road Worthiness Validity Tag – MVA 23

25. Notice of Defects – MVA 24

26. OFF THE ROAD Notice – MVA 25

SCHEDULE 4

27. Notification /Invitation to Inspect Motor Vehicle /Motor Accident – MVA26

28. Road Traffic Accident Report – MVA 27

SCHEDULE 5

29. Vehicle Identification Tag – MVA 28

30. Vehicle /Motorcycle Number Plate Dimension (Figures 1-11)

SCHEDULE 6

31. Traffic Control Hand Signals.

SCHEDULE 7

32. Traffic Control Arm Signals.

SCHEDULE 8

33. Maximum Speed Limits for All Categories of Vehicles

SCHEDULE 9

34. Road Signals and Traffic Signals

SCHEDULE 10

35. Certificate of Release of Removed Vehicles – MVA 29

SCHEDULE 11

36. Notice of Offence Sheet – MVA 30

37. Fines and Penalties

SCHEDULE 12

38. Warning Danger Labels

SCHEDULE 13

39. Specification of Fire Extinguisher

SCHEDULE 14

40. Road Charges.

FEDERAL ROAD

SAFETY COMMISSION ACT

(CAP 141 LFN)

National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004

Commencement : 12th January 2004

In exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 5 of the Federal Road Safety Commission Act, as amended and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby makes the following Regulations:

PART 1 – REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE

1 (1) Any person applying to register a vehicle shall submit to the Authority an application for registration duly completed as in Form MVA 1 specified in Schedule 1 of these Regulations and pay to the Authority the fees as may be prescribed and published by the Joint Tax Board from time to time.

(2) An application to register a vehicle shall be accompanied by -

(a) an invoice and payment receipt of an accredited motor vehicle dealer; and

(b) a certificate of payment or exemption from payment of import duty issued by or under the authority of the Nigeria Customs Service, where the vehicle is an imported vehicle.

(3) An application to register -

(a) a trailer ; or.

(b) A commercial vehicle, with the axle weight or any of its axle exceeding 10 tonnes or tadem axles exceeding 16 tonnes gross weight, Shall be accompanied by the permission in writing given under the provisions of regulation 79 of these Regulations.

2. (1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this regulation the Authority, shall on receipt of a proper application and fee, if any, register the particulars of the vehicle and if the vehicle was not previously registered in Nigeria, or if the vehicle was previously owned by a exempted body within the meaning of regulation 140

(2) of these Regulations assign to it a number plate with the local government code.

(2) All auctioned vehicles may be assigned number plates provided the

application is accompanied by an evidence authorizing such auction and relevant payment receipts.

(3) Any vehicle whose category is to be changed may be assigned

identification number provided it was previously registered. Where it was registered in any State other than the one in which the change of category is being sought, the change of category form must be accompanied by a certificate of clearance from the police.

(4) If any person applies for a special identification number/mark in respect of a vehicle used by an exempted body, the Authority may, with the approval of the Principal Licensing Officer and on payment to the Authority of the prescribed fee, assign to the vehicle the special identification number /mark for which the application has been made:

Provided that the number plates shall be in the series controlled by the Authority or specially permitted by the Authority.

(5) Any person who wishes to register his vehicle in a code that is not in the series of codes being issued at the time but is in the control of the Central Motor Registry, shall apply to the Authority for “Out of Series Registration” The Authority shall approve as it deems fit and the vehicle shall be so registered on the payment of the prescribed fee.

(6) Any person who wishes to register a vehicle with special or fancy number shall apply to the Authority giving details of his fancy”

Provided the special or fancy number shall not exceed eight digits made up of alphabets, numerals or a combination of both. The Authority shall approve as deemed fit and the vehicle shall be so registered on the payment of the prescribed fee.

(7) Any person who wishes to transfer the out of series or fancy number plates of any vehicle to another shall obtain a police clearance and attach same to his application to the Authority who may approve as deemed fit upon payment of the prescribed fee provided that the Authority shall be that of the State of last registration

(8) Any person who wishes to re-register a vehicle shall apply as in Form MVA 3 to the Authority stating reasons for the re-registration. The application shall be accompanied with the original purchase documents and where the vehicle was originally registered in a State other than the one in which the re-registration is sought, the application shall be accompanied with a police clearance and clearance from the Authority of the last registration.

(9) An application for out of series, fancy and special identification number

plates shall be as prescribed in Form MVA2 specified in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(10) Subject to the provisions of this regulations, no vehicle shall be registered except such vehicle has been examined and certified suitable by the Vehicle Inspection Officer.

(11) The Commission or the Authority may, by Notice in the Federal of State Gazette prohibit the registration of any vehicle or any category of vehicles which may be considered to be unsuitable for registration.

(12) The Authority may refuse an application for registration of a vehicle if it is not satisfied that the applicant has attained the age of eighteen years or where there is a valid court order to that effect.

3.(1) A vehicle may be registered in one of the following categories -

(a) Motor cycles; or

(b) Motor cycles with three wheels or side cars;

(d) Trailer;

(e) Taxi or hackney carriage authorized to carry not more than seven persons including the driver;

(f) Private car hire driven by the hirer or the owner’s driver;

(g) Commercial vehicle authorized to carry goods and person who are servants of the owner whilst in the employment of the owner;

(h) State carriage authorized to carry not more than fifteen persons including the driver;

(i) State carriage authorized to carry more than fifteen persons including the driver but subject to Regulation 38(2);

(j) Omnibus;

(k) Private omnibus used for the free conveyance of employees;

(l) Agricultural vehicle;

(m) Tractor;

(n) Vehicle exclusively designed for use as plant or machinery for construction.

(o) Fire engines or trailer pump.

(2) A vehicle may be registered in categories (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and(j) or paragraph (1) of this regulation if –

(a) The vehicle is operated primarily for hire or reward excluding category (j) of (k); or(b) A certificate of road-worthiness issued by the Vehicle Inspection Officer under regulation 78 of these Regulations is produced at the time of the application to licence the vehicle; or

(d) The condition of the vehicle is, in the opinion of a Vehicle Inspection Officer, safe and suitable for the conveyance of passengers or goods, and conforms with the provisions of Parts V and VI of these Regulations.

(3) A vehicle may be registered as a trailer under this Part of these Regulations if –

(a) it is a vehicle designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle;

(b) a certificate of road-worthiness issued under regulation 78 of these Regulations is produced at the time of application for registration; and

(4) A vehicle may be registered as an agricultural machine if –

(a) the vehicle is intended to be used on a highway in passing from land in private occupation to other land in such occupation ; or

(b) it is registered in the name of a person engaged in agriculture, timber trade or mining; or

(c) it is not used on a highway for hauling any objects except for agricultural produce, timber, mineral of agricultural land.

(5) For the purpose of this regulation, ‘mineral’ includes mineral oils and the word ‘mine’ and ‘mining’ shall be construed accordingly.

(6) A vehicle may be registered as tractor under this part of these Regulations if the vehicle is used on a highway solely for the purpose of haulage, and should not have super imposed upon it, any load except such as is necessary for its propulsion or equipment

4. (1) Before a vehicle is registered, a Vehicle Inspection Officer may, if facilities for weighing the vehicle are available, require the net weight of the vehicle to be ascertained and shall certify the weight of the vehicle and make any necessary correction in the statement of weight declared by the owner or where the facilities for weighing are not available may require the owner of the vehicle to produce a certificate of the weight thereof issued by the manufacturer or a competent authority.

(2) The fee as may be determined and published by the Joint Tax Board from time to time, shall be payable by the owner in respect of any ascertainment of weight required to be effected under paragraph (1) of this regulation.

(3) A vehicle Inspection Officer or Road Marshall may, at any reasonable time, require a vehicle to be re-weighed free or charge.

(4) The owner of a vehicle shall cause the vehicle to be driven or brought to an appropriate place which the Vehicle Inspection Officer or Road Marshall may direct for the purpose of weighing.

5.(1) A registration book as specified in Form MVA 4 of Schedule 1 of these

Regulations shall be issued by the Authority to the owner of a vehicle upon the payment of the prescribed registration fee and shall constitute the permanent recorded of the vehicle.

(2) The registration book shall be required to be in the vehicle and liable to be produced on demand by any appropriate authority.

(3) Any driver who fails to comply with the provisions of paragraph (2) of this regulation commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N1,000 or to imprisonment for a term of six months or both:

Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a person who has –

(a) lost the registration book and applied for a replacement ; or

(b) deposited the registration book with the appropriate authority.

(4) If the owner of a vehicle shows to the satisfaction of the Authority that—

(a) he is unable to obtain the registration book from a previous owner; or

(b) the registration book has been lost, stolen or defaced and that a replacement of the registration book shall be issued thorugh the Authority to the owner upon payment by him or the prescribed fee; or

(c) that he h as a certificate in lieu of custom papers or any other good cause that his dealer has not given him any letter of custom clearance, the Authority may register the vehicle.

(5) The owner of the vehicle shall be required to inform the Authority within a period of 4 weeks of any change of his address as shown in the registration book.

(6) Subject to the provisions of regulations 3 where there is a change in the category of any vehicle which affects the particulars entered in its registration book, the owner of such vehicle hall immediately inform the nearest Authority of the change as in Form MVA 3 specified in Schedule 1 of these Regulations and the Authority shall thereupon, without payment of any fee, amend the registration book provided that the change or amendment is genuine

6 (1) If the ownership of a vehicle is changed, the former owner of the vehicle shall give a notice of the change to the Authority as in Form MVA 5 as specified in Schedule 1 of these Regulations and the new owner shall pay to the Authority the fee as may be prescribed by the Joint Tax Board.

(2) The former owner of the vehicle referred to in paragraph (!) of this

regulation shall present the registration book to the Authority who shall record details of the change of ownership and hand-over t he registration book to the new owner.

(3) The notice referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation shall be given by former owner and the new owner not later than 30 days after the date of the actual change of ownership and where the notice relates to a vehicle which was imported into Nigeria free of import duty; the notice shall be accompanied by a certificate of payment of import duty, or exemption therefrom issued to the new owner by the Nigeria Customs Service.

(4) The Authority shall effect every change of ownership in its register.

7. (1) If the colour of a vehicle is to be changed, the owner shall apply for approval from the Authority in Form MVA 6 specified in Schedule 1 of these Regulations and unless such an application is approved, the owner of the vehicle shall be restrained from changing the colour of the vehicle.

(2) A new vehicle licence shall be issued after payment of the fees prescribed to reflect the new colour of the vehicle and the old vehicle licence shall be withdrawn from the owner.

(3) Any alteration or change in the particulars of the vehicle hall be reflected in the registration book by the Authority.

(4) Where the colour of a vehicle is changed without due approval , the licence of such a vehicle shall become invalid and the owner of the vehicle has committed an offence under these Regulations and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 6 months or both.

(5) Where there is a replacement of the engine of a registered vehicle, the

owner shall notify the Authority as in Form MVA 7 in Schedule 1 and shall pay the prescribed fee.

8. (1) Every Authority shall provide a Vehicle Inspection officer, Road Marshall, the Police or any competent authority, copies of any records, documents or particulars in respect of a vehicle whenever requested.

(2) The Authority shall keep all copes of licences and other documents

furnished in pursuance of these Regulations at the Central Motor Registry and shall on request by any, vehicle Inspection Officer, Road Marshall, the Police or any competent authority supply such particulars in relation thereto.

9. Any person who --

(a) Makes an unauthorized entry or alteration in the registration book relating to a vehicle; or

(b) Willfully destroys or defaces any entry in the registration book,

Commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N1,000 or imprisonment for a term of 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

10 Any person who has been refused registration of a vehicle in accordance with these Regulations may appear to a Magistrate Court which may after hearing both parties give such directions as it may deem fit under the circumstances.

PART II – LICENCES FOR VEHICLE

11. Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, the Authority may issue a vehicle licence for a period of twelve or six months a in Form MVA.8 specified in schedule 1 of these Regulations upon the payment of the fees as may be prescribed by the Joint Tax Board and subject to the production of a registration book, current certificate of insurance and certificate of road-worthiness.

12 (1) The Commission may by notice published in the Federal Gazette prohibit the registration of or further licensing of a class or type of vehicles considered to be unsuitable for any particular mode or usage and the Authority shall accordingly not issue a licence, in respect of such class of vehicle.

(2) The Commission, the police or any other competent authority may, by

direct instruction prohibit the licensing of a particular vehicle, upon a reasonable ground that the vehicle is unsuitable for use in any part of Nigeria and the Authority shall comply accordingly.

(3) The Authority shall not issue a licence for any vehicle –

(a) The condition of which, in its opinion, is such to render its use on the

highway a contravention of these Regulations;9+ or

(b) So constructed or in such condition, mechanically or otherwise, as in its opinion likely to be dangerous to other road udders or likely to cause damage to the highways or bridges.

(4) No vehicle shall be licensed for a gross weight other than that registered in respect of such vehicle in accordance with these Regulations.

(5) For the purpose of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this regulation, the appropriate authority may, at any time, require any vehicle to be produced by such person and at such time and place for inspection as they may appoint.

13. A person to whom a licence has been refused in accordance with this Part of these Regulations may appeal to any Magistrate Court.

14. (1) If any person to whom a vehicle licence has been issued in accordance with regulation II of these Regulations satisfies the Authority in the State within which the original licence was issued that the vehicle in respect of which the licence has been issued shall not be used in Nigeria during the unexpired duration of the licence, the Authority may refund to that person a portion of the fee paid for the licence and that portion shall be equivalent to one-twelfth of the annual licence fee payable multiplied by the unexpired duration.

(2) Before a refund is made under this regulations, the licence and the

counterfoil thereof shall be surrendered to the Authority which shall thereafter –

(a) cause the licence to be cancelled;

(b) because the cancellation to be entered in the registration book of the vehicle; and

(3) When a refund is made under this regulation, the vehicle in respect of which the licence was issued shall for the purpose of these Regulations be deemed to be unlicensed during the period in respect of which the refund has been made.

15. (1) The owner, driver or person in-charge of control of a vehicle shall at all times when the vehicle is being used on a highway keep the current licence of the vehicle displayed in the manner hereinafter provided, and shall, on demand, permit any appropriate authority to examine the licence.

(2) Licences, other than trade licences, shall be displayed in a weather-proof holder with a transparent cover and carried on the vehicle and in the case of –

(a) Motor-cycles or trailers, in a conspicuous position on the near side of the vehicle not more than 76.20 centimeters from the front of the vehicle;

(b) Motor-cycles with side car, on the near side of the handle bar of the cycle or the near side of the side car; and

(c) All other vehicles (except when placed on or adjacent to the windscreen as hereinafter provided) on the near side of the vehicle facing toward the near side of the road and not less than one metre nor more than two metres from the ground level and placed as near to the front seat as is practicable:

Provided that in the case of a vehicle fitted with a front glass windscreen extending across the vehicle, to the near lower corner of the glass of such windscreen or in such other manner so as to be clearly visible from the front at all times by daylight whether such vehicle is moving or stationary; and in the event of the licence being carried actually upon a glass portion of the vehicle and otherwise complying with these Regulations the obligation that the licence shall be carried in a weather-proof holder with a transparent cover shall not apply.

(3) The licence shall be placed and carried (except when placed on or adjacent to the windscreen as hereinbefore provided) so as to be clearly visible at all times by daylight to a person standing at the near side of the vehicle, whether such vehicle is moving or stationary.

(4) In the case of vehicle issued with a trade licence, such licence shall be

displayed on the front plate bearing the trade number plates issued in respect of such licence.

16 (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this regulation, the Authority shall issue a new licence to the holder of a current licence under this Part of these Regulations, if the holder of the licence satisfies the Authority that --

(a) the licence has been defaced or mutilated;

(b) the figure and particulars thereon have become illegible; or

(2) Before issuing a licence under paragraph(1) of this regulation, the

Authority shall demand the production of the holder’s registration book as proof of issue of the original licence.

(3) In the case of a loss or stolen licence, the owner shall be required to

produce the police extract (report) and a duly sworn affidavit stating clearly the particulars and facts of loss before a new licence may be issued after the payment of the prescribed fee.

17. (1) When the ownership of a vehicle is transferred in accordance with

regulation 6 and the new owner does not intend to use the vehicle for any purpose other than that for which it is classified and registered, the existing licence shall be valid until the expiry date on it but in all other cases a refund may be made to the former owner of the vehicle for unexpired duration of the licence and the vehicle shall be re-licensed upon payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) If the new owner fails to comply with this regulation, the existing licence shall cease to be valid.

18. (1) When a registration book has been amended in accordance with regulation 5, the existing shall remain valid until the expiry date, unless the registration category or character of the vehicle has been so changed as to render payable a licence fee at a higher or lower rate than that paid on the issuance of the existing licence.

(2) Where a higher or lower licence fee becomes payable a refund may be

made to the former owner of the vehicle for the unexpired duration of the licence and the vehicle shall be re-licensed upon payment of the prescribed fee.

PART iii – SPECIAL TRADE LICENCE

19.(1)A special trade licence specified in Form MVA 10A Schedule 1 of these Regulations, may be issued by the Authority to a dealer on payment of the prescribed fee and the licence shall be so stamped indicating the type of trade licence.

(2) Before a special trade licence can be issued the applicant must furnish the Authority with his data a prescribed in Form MVA 10 in Schedule 1.

(3) A dealer may obtain any number of trade licenses provided that no trade licence shall be issued for use in respect of any vehicle except in the following circumstances, that is—

(a) when a vehicle having been off-loaded from a ship, lighter, train or other road vehicle is being driven to the dealer’s place of business; or

(b) when a vehicle is being tested after having been received, assembled or repaired at the dealer’s place of business; or

(c) when a vehicle is being tested by or on behalf of an intending purchaser or of the owner in the case of vehicle under repairs ; or

(d) when a new vehicle or one under repairs is being transferred by a dealer in the normal course of business; or

(e) when a new vehicle or one which has been repaired is in process of delivery to the purchaser.

(4) A trade licence shall be issued with a trade number plate as shown in fig. 10 in Schedule 5 of these Regulations consisting of the National flag symbol, name of authorized dealer, dealer’s code, State code, dealer’s number (alpha-numeric), individual vehicle code (alpha numeric) and words “ Federal Republic of Nigeria” and the particulars of each trade licence shall be entered in a special register kept for the purpose by the Authority provided that trade identification number plates shall only be issued to motor vehicle dealers and mechanic workshop operators and the ones issued to mechanic workshop operators shall only be used on vehicles during road tests.

(5) A person to whom a trade licence has been refused may appeal to any Magistrate Court.

(6) A trade licence shall not ---

(a) authorize –

(i) the carrying of fee-paying passengers or goods for reward; or

(ii) the carrying of any person not engaged in testing the vehicle or inspecting the vehicle with a view to purchasing same; or

(b) be used between the hours of 6 p.m and 6 a.m

(7) Any person using a trade licence, except for the purpose authorized by these Regulations, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term of 1 year or both

(8) Any person who operates as a motor vehicle dealer without obtaining the appropriate trade licence commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 1 year or both

(9) A motor vehicle dealer shall be required to keep a record of journeys made by vehicles operating under a trade licence and the records shall be open for inspection by the appropriate Authority.

(10) Subject to the provisions of paragraph(2) of this regulation, a trade licence issued in any State shall be valid in any other State until the expiry date indicated on such licence

(11) A trade licence in this regulation includes ---

(a) licences for motor vehicle and motorcycle dealers;

(b) licences for spare parts dealers to engage in the sales and distribution of motor vehicle and motorcycle spare parts

(12) The procedure for obtaining a trade licence and registration –

(a) as a spare parts dealer is as specified in Form MVA 10A of Schedule 1 of these Regulations ;

(b) as a motor mechanic is as specified in Form MVA 10B of Schedule 1 of

these Regulation

(13) For the purpose of this Part of these Regulations a dealer includes a motor vehicle, motorcycle and motor parts dealer

20. (1) The Commission shall establish model driving school in each State of the Federation and FCT and regulate the establishment and registration of private and Government owned driving schools and shall set guidelines for the establishment of such driving schools.

(2) The registration of the driving schools shall be as specified in Form MVA 10D of Schedule 1 and no driving school shall be registered unless the prescribed fee is paid to the Authority.

(3) The Commission, from time to time, inspect all registered driving schools to ensure that the operators conform with standards specified by the Commission.

(4) The Commission shall issue permit to all registered driving schools in

accordance with paragraph (1) of this regulation

PART IV – NUMBER PLATES

21 (1) The identification number plates carried by a motor vehicle or articulated vehicle shall be displayed on two plates for a motor vehicle, and three plates for an articulated vehicle and shall conform, as to lettering, numbering and otherwise with the provisions set out in figures 1-11 of Schedule 5 of these Regulations.

(2) The number plates shall in respect of –

(a) a motor vehicle be fixed, one on the front of the vehicle and the other at the center or on the off-side of the rear of the vehicle or as may be provided by the manufacturer;

(b) a trailer, be fixed at the center or on the off-side of the rear of the trailer in an upright position;

(c) a motorcycle , one plate shall be fixed in front and one at the rear with the plate having white background but blue lettering for private, green lettering for the Federal State or Local Government, black lettering for the Armed Forces, Paramilitary Services and red lettering for commercial, so that every letter or figure on the plate is up-right and easily distinguishable in the case of the front plate for m the front, and in case of the rear plate from behind.

(3) In the case of the recovery of a semi-trailer, the operator of the prime

mover shall be required to ensure that the entire articulated vehicle carried the same identification number in respect of the prime mover and the semi-trailer.

(4) No part of the number plates of a trailer or a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle shall be in any manner obscured and the plate shall at all times be kept in such condition that the letters and figures thereof are clearly distinguishable in daylight by a person of normal vision at a distance of thirty meters and in the case of motorcycles at a distance of fifteen metres.

(5) A vehicle shall carry a Vehicle Tag which shall be issued a long with the Vehicle Number Plate and shall carry the same number with the plate and be affixed to the rear windscreen. The vehicle tag shall be as specified in form MVA 28 Schedule 5.

(6) Except as otherwise provided under these Regulations, no number plates shall be transferred from one vehicle or trailer to another and it shall be an offence under these Regulations for any person to make any transfer except in accordance with these regulations.

(7) A person convicted of an offence under paragraph (6) of this regulation is liable to a fine of N5,000 or imprisonment for a term of 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(8) The form of identification number plates referred to in paragraph (1) shall be rectangular with dimensions of 308 mm by 139.7 for vehicles and 228.6 mm by 101.6 mm for motor-cycles both with white background as shown in figures 1 and 2 in Schedule 5 or these Regulations.

(9) Private number plates shall ---

(a) have the name of the State in black, the licensing office code number, the vehicle registration number and the Local Government code number in blue;

(b) for commercial vehicles, have the name of the State in black, the licensing office code number, the vehicle registration number and Local Government code number in red;

(d) for Local Governments and Area Councils, have the name of the State in black, the Local Government Area Council identification code, the vehicle registration number and the name of the Local Government code in green;

(e) for the Military and Para-Military vehicle, have the name and the ode of the Armed Forces and Para-Military, the vehicle group code, issuing office code in black.

(10) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph(9), the number plate of

vehicles referred to in ---

(a) sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) shall have the symbol of the National flag on the top left corner and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in black a specified in figure 3 in Schedule 5 of these Regulations;

(b) sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) shall have the National Coat of Arms in the top left corner and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in black as specified in figure 5 in Schedule 5 of these Regulations;

corner in black and the Federal Republic of Nigeria also in black as specified in figure 4 in Schedule 5 of these Regulations.

(11) All vehicle number plates shall have ---

(a) a local government code for private and commercial vehicles as set out in figure 6 of Schedule 5;

(b) Federal, State or Local government codes for government vehicles as set out in figure 6 of Schedule 5

(d) codes for paramilitary vehicles as set out in figure 8 of schedule 5 ;

(f) codes for diplomatic vehicles as set out in figure 11 of schedule 5

(12) The Commission shall determine, from time to time, the appropriate number codes for all categories of vehicles.

(13) In the case of a loss or damage to a vehicle number plates or a vehicle

identification tag, the owner of the vehicle or the driver shall –

(a) report the particulars immediately to the nearest Police Station or a

Licensing Office.

(b) prove ownership of the lost plate by swearing to an affidavit stating the loss;

(c) pay the prescribed fee to the appropriate authority for a replacement of the lost number plate or identification gag.

(14) The owner of the vehicle or the driver may, where the necessary

particulars of loss have been reported, construct temporary number plate in the form of wood which shall conform to colouring, lettering, codes, etc. as outlined in the provisions of this regulation.

(15) A temporary number plate shall be sufficient as the number plate until a new one is issued by the Authority within 14 days of payment of the replacement fee.

(16) All vehicles, private and commercial, shall as from the commencement of these Regulations, have on them the vehicle identification number plates referred to in this regulation and it shall be an offence for any vehicle not to have the said identification number places.

(17) (a)The Commission shall be responsible for the production of vehicle identification number plates for the Federation; and

(b) It shall be an offence for an officer of the Authority to issue or allocate

vehicle identification number plates before the production of the said number plates or mark by the Commission.

Joint Tax Board (JTB) from time to time.

(18) A person who commits an offence under paragraph 16 shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N500 for every day the offence is committed.

(19) There shall be proof of ownership certificate for all registered vehicles the format of which shall be as in Form MVA 9 of Schedule 1 or as may be determined by the Commission from time to time.

PART V- DRIVER’S LICENCE

22. (1) Licences or learners’ permit to drive motor vehicle shall be in one or more of the following classes -

(a) Class A - motor-cycle;

(b) Class B - a motor vehicle of less than three tones gross weight other than motorcycle commercial, taxi, stage carriage or omnibus

(d) Class D - a motor vehicle, other than motor-cycle, taxi, stage carriage or omnibus but excluding an articulated vehicle or vehicle drawing a trailer;

(e) Class E - a motor vehicle other than motor-cycle or articulated vehicle;

(f) Class F - agricultural machines and tractors

(g) Class G - articulated vehicles;

(h) Class H - earth-moving vehicles;

(j) Class J - special, for physically handicapped persons:

Provided that a person may be authorized to have a combination of two or more of the Classes, howsoever that none of them shall overlap

(2) An applicant for a fresh driver’s licence shall furnish evidence of training at an approved driving school and a learner’s permit and shall be accompanied with a certificate of visual acquity test and general medical fitness test as prescribed in Regulation 24(6)

(3) A person not below the age of 18 years who desires to obtain a driver’s licence shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this regulation, lodge with the Authority the appropriate application form as in Form MVA 11 specified in Schedule 1 of these Regulations.

(4) The holder of a valid licence may apply for the obtain a renewal of the

licence referred to in paragraph (3) or this regulation at any time within a period of one calendar month before the expiry date of the licence.

(5) The application for the renewal of licence shall be in Form MVA 12 in

schedule 1 of these Regulations.

(6) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4) of this regulation, the renewal of a driver’s licence shall take effect from the date of the receipt by the Authority of a duly completed application form.

(7) All applicants for renewal of driver’s licence shall undergo a driving test in accordance with regulation 26 of these Regulations for an unlicensed person and a person below 18 years to drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle on the highway.

(8) It shall be an offence under these Regulations for an unlicensed person and a person below 18 years to drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle on the highway.

23 (1) An application for the issue or re-issue of a driver’s licence shall be accompanied by three copies of a recent passport photograph (which shall be printed from the same negative) of the head, full face, and shoulders of the applicant approximately but not longer than 25 millimeteres by 30 mm and where a driving test is required in pursuance of regulation 24 (1) of these Regulations, the copy shall be certified as a true resemblance of the applicant by a Vehicle Inspection Officer.

(2) An application for a learner’s permit shall be accompanied by two passport photographs of the applicant not larger than 25 mm by 30 mm.

24. (1) The Authority shall, before issuing a licence, require the applicant to pass a driving test to show that he is capable of fully controlling a motor vehicle of the type and group(s) for which he has applied:

Provided that this provision shall not apply to applicant for renewal except as

provided in Regulation 22 (7)

(2) Where the holder of a current driver’s licence wishes to change to another class or group, he shall be tested on the proposed category or categories of vehicles and shall attach the results of such test(s) as well as the previous licence to his application to the Authority and the Authority may issue him the new class or group on the payment of the prescribed fee.

(3) The new driver’s licence shall be endorsed with the number and date of issue of the original licence and with any conviction or order which relates to any offence within the immediately preceding two years which was endorsed on the original licence.

(4) On the issuance of a new driver’s licence, the old licence shall be cancelled by the Authority and forwarded to the Central Motor Registry with the appropriate application form.

(5) Where a driving test is requiring by the Authority, no licence shall be

issued unless the application is accompanied by a certificate stating the group(s) or licence issued under regulation 28.

(6) The Authority shall not issue a driver’s licence unless the applicant

furnishes certificates of vision acquity test and general fitness from any Government hospital.

(7) The vision acquity and general fitness examination shall be as prescribed in Form MVA 13 in Schedule 1.

25. (1)A driver’s licence shall be as specified in Form MVA 16 in Schedule 1 and shall be renewable after three years from the date of issue or as may be prescribed from time to time ---

(a) the applicant shall not be entitled to received a driver’s licence except on the payment of the fee prescribed by the Joint Tax Board; and

(b) The Authority shall affix its official stamp across the passport photograph of the applicant on the learner’s permit to the top right hand corner and when placing the official stamp, part of the stamp shall be on the photograph and part on the permit.

(2) The applicant for a driver’s licence shall append his signature and

thumbprint in the space provided in the driver’s licence application Forms MVA 12 and Form MVA 11 specified in Schedule 1 of these Regulation as may be applicable.

(3) The Commission shall be responsible for the production of Drivers Licence for the Federation.

26. (1) A driving test shall be conducted by a Vehicle Inspection Officer.

(2) The driving test shall be held at such a place and time which may be

specified by the Vehicle Inspection Officer to determine the competence of the applicant to –

(a) control the motor vehicle in the traffic;

(b) bring the motor vehicle to a standstill from normal speed;

(d) Pass other vehicles on the roads;

(e) Drive a motor vehicle except a motor-cycle, backwards along a straight road and around corners;

(f) Turn round in a road;

(g) Understand the indication of speeds and figures shown on the speedometer of the motor vehicles;

(h) Demonstrate his knowledge of the rules of the road, the hand signals set out in Schedules 6 and 7 of these Regulations as well as signs and traffic light signals illustrated in Schedule 9 of these Regulations and the principal offences set out under the Act and these Regulations;

(i) Read at a distance of twenty-three metres in daylight (with the aid of glasses, if worn), a motor vehicle identification number plates;

(j) Generally drive competently a motor vehicle or in the case of a person suffering from disability, a motor vehicle of the particular class to which the application relates, without danger to and with due consideration for other road users.

(3) An applicant who passes a driving test on a vehicle fitted with automatic transmission or adapted vehicle shall have his driver’s licence so endorsed and shall only be licensed to drive such a vehicle;

(4) The conditions which apply to the testing of an applicant motor driver shall also apply to an applicant motor-cycle rider and the result of such a test shall be recorded in Form MVA 14 of Schedule 1.

27 (1) Subject to regulation 23 (2), an applicant for a learner’s permit shall pay the prescribed fee and shall be granted a learner’s permit which shall entitle him when accompanied by a licensed driver-instructor sitting beside him, to drive a vehicle of the group or type stated in the permit for a period not exceeding 3 months from the date of the learner’s permit within the highways specified in the permit and shall be tested after 3 issues of the permit.

(2) An application for a learner’s permit shall be in the prescribed Form MVA 15 specified in Schedule 1 of these Regulations.

(3) Where in pursuance of paragraph (1) of this regulation the holder of a

learner’s permit –

(a) fails to take a driving test before the expiration of his third permit; or

(c) takes a test and fails, He shall, upon obtaining another learner’s permit be entitled to be tested but not before the expiration of one calendar month from the date of the previous test

28. When a person has passed a driving test, he shall be issued with a certificate stating the group of licence he is qualified to receive

29. Whenever an applicant for a driver’s licence is ---

(a) driving a vehicle for the purpose of being tested; or

(b) the holder of a learner’s permit there shall be securely affixed at the front and back of the vehicle, plates displaying the letter “L” which shall conform with the provisions set out in Schedule 1 of these Regulations and the plate shall have a white background and the letter “L” painted in red colour.

30. (1) Subject to these Regulations, where the holder of a driver’s licence issued under this Part of these Regulations satisfies the Authority that --

(a) The licence is dilapidated, mutilated, or illegible; or

(b) The photograph on such licence has become defaced so as to impair the identification of the holder thereof, the Authority shall issue a replacement to the applicant upon the payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) The Authority shall endorse on the replaced licence the particulars of any conviction or order endorsed on the former licence which relate to any offence committed by the owner of the licence within the preceding three years.

(3) The mutilated licence shall be cancelled and shall be forwarded with the licence application and photograph to the Central Motor Registry which shall cause it to be destroyed.

(4) The procedure for replacing a lost, damaged or defaced licence shall be as follows –

(a) the holder shall ---

(i) report to the nearest police station and obtain a police extract stating

particulars of the loss, damage or defacement,

(ii) swear to an affidavit stating the facts of the loss, damage or defacement,

(iii) pay the prescribed fee

(b) the Authority shall on the production of the documents specified in paragraphs (4)

(a) and (b) issue a new licence to the applicant.

31. Where a driver’s licence has been lost or stolen the holder shall apply to the Authority for replacement in the manner specified in regulation 30

32. (1) If the holder of a driver’s licence issued under this Part of these Regulations satisfies the Authority in the State in which the original licence was issued that the licence has been lost or stolen he may apply tot hat Authority for a replacement licence in the same manner as specified in regulation 30 (1) of these Regulations.

(2) The fee payable under this regulation shall be as prescribed and published by the Joint Tax Board from time to time

(3) The provisions of regulations 23 of these Regulations shall apply to any

such replacement licence

33. Where a licensed driver is convicted of any offece by a court under the Act or these Regulations the court may, depending on the nature and gravity of the offence, suspend or bar the driver from holding a driver’s licence and such conviction shall be reported to the Central Motor Registry by the appropriate authority.

PART VI – TAXIS, STAGE CARRIAGES, OMNIBUSES AND MOTOR CYCLE

FOR HIRE

34. The Authority may licence a motor vehicle as a taxi, stage carriage omnibus or motor cycle on the payment of the fees prescribed and published by the Joint Tax Board subject to the following ---

(a) that the vehicle conforms with the conditions specified in these Regulations;

(b) that the vehicle conforms to the other conditions specified in any other law.

35. No person shall cause, permit or drive a taxi on any highway unless the following conditions are satisfied --

(a) the maximum number of person approved to be carried by the taxi shall be inscribed on the two front doors of the taxi;

(b) the taxi colour must conform with the colour specified in that particular

State or the Federal Capital Territory;

(c) the work “Taxi” shall be inscribed in white letters 64 millimetres in height on the top right corner of the windscreen in the front and the rear;

(d) the taxi shall bear a local identification number allocated by the Authority on payment of the prescribed fee;

(e) each passenger shall be provided with seating accommodation of a width of at least 0.406 metres;

(f) the taxi shall have two or more entrances on each side;

(g) the taxi shall not be used for the conveyance of any livestock as to

inconveniences other people in the taxi

(h) the number of person carried in the taxi shall at no time exceed the number authorized by the competent Authority and as inscribed on the sides of the taxi;

(i) the taxi shall at all times be kept clean

(j) The taxi shall not stand or ply for hire if it is in such a condition as to be unsafe or unsuitable for the conveyance of passengers or does not conform with the provisions of these regulations;

(k) The taxi shall be fitted with amber or yellow light at the top most center of the roof above the front windscreen with the word “TAXI” inscribed in black lettering on both sides to indicate a taxi at night. It shall be so fitted as to be controlled by the parking light switch of the vehicle.

36 (1) No person shall cause or permit a stage carriage to be used on any highway, or shall drive or have charge of a stage carriage, unless the following conditions are satisfied, that is -----

(a) each passenger is provided with seating accommodation, the supports of which are firmly fixed in position of a width of 0.356 metres a dept of at least 0.356 metres and a maximum height of 0.457 metres from the floor of the stage carriage shall be allowed for the seating accommodation of each passenger;

(b) In the case of seats facing the same direction, a clear space of at least 0.254 metres is allowed between the foremost part of one seat and the rear part of the seat in front and in the case of seats arranged facing each other a clear space of at least 0.4482 metres is allowed between the front edge of one sent and the front edge of the seat facing it;

(c) the driver’s seat in stage carriage carrying passengers, or in a motor vehicle carrying goods and passengers is not less than 0.610 metres wide and is so constructed as to be centered on steering column and the seat is completely divided off from any seating accommodation provided for any person sitting in the driver’s compartment by a fixed partition approved by the Vehicle Inspection Officer or the Commission and no person except the driver shall occupy the driver’s seat;

(d) in any case where the driver’s seat is so partitioned off, one person only shall sit in the remaining portion of the driving compartment if the seat provided exceeds 0.356 metres but less than 0.711 metres in width and if the seat exceeds 0.711 metres in width then not more than two persons may sit thereon;

(e) the motor vehicle shall carry a conductor registered in accordance with these Regulations;

(f) the driver of the state carriage shall adbide by any specified routes or other conditions imposed by the appropriate authority;

(g) the number of person carried in the stage carriage shall at no time exceed the number authorized by the appropriate authority as recorded in the registration book of the vehicle and inscribed on the two front doors;

(h) the stage carriage shall at all times be kept in a clean condition.

(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1) (g) of this regulation, the number of

person shall be calculated as follows, that is –

(a) each person shall be taken as weighing 76.204 kilograms with an allowance of 12.700 kilograms, hand luggage;

(b) two children under the age of twelve years shall be taken as one person and at no time shall the number of person to be carried at any one time exceed the half of the freight or load which the vehicle is authorized to carry.

(c) the overhang shall not exceed one-third of the overall length, so however that in the case of an omnibus body constructed in Nigeria, the over-hang shall not exceed seven twenty-forth of the over-all length;

(d) the body shall be constructed and designed for the sole purpose of carrying passengers and hand luggage;

(e) all seating accommodation shall allow a space of at least 0.356 metres in length for every passenger;

(f) the width of the seats from front to back shall be at least 0.356metres;

(g) in the case of seats facing the same direction there shall be provided space of at least 0.660 metres between the front of the back of one seat and the back of the seat immediately in front of which space shall not be less than 0.254 metres and, at least, shall be clear of obstruction to the floor;

(h) in the case of seats arranged facing each other there shall be a space of at least 0.457 metres clear of obstruction between the front edge of one seat and the front edge of the seat facing it;

(i) the gangway shall be at least 40 cm wide;

(j) at least two entrances or exits shall be provided for passengers (one of

which may be an emergency exit) and all entrances or exits not being emergency exits shall not be less than 0.609 metres wide and shall not be less than 0.609 metres wide and shall not be less than 1.676 metres in height;

(k) every entry of exit (other than an emergency exit) shall be on the near side of the omnibus;

(l) every emergency exit shall be fitted with a door which shall be kept closed except in an emergency and every entrance or exit door shall be capable of being opened by one operation of the locking mechanism and shall be so designed as to be readily opened in case of need from both the inside and the outside of the omnibus.

(m) the steps to the entrance and exits shall be closed and the maximum height from the ground of the lowest step shall be 0.457 metres;

(n) the driver’s seat shall be separated from the passengers compartment by a partition approved by the Vehicle Inspection Officer;

(o) the minimum internal height of the vehicle from the floor to the roof shall not be less than 1.7 metres;

(p) there shall be provided a bell or other device electrically or manually operated which allows the conductor to transmit signals to the driver from any part of the omnibus;

(q) the number of persons carried in an omnibus shall at no time exceed the number authorized by the appropriate authority and recorded in the registration book of the vehicle;

(r) the omnibus shall at all times be kept in a clean condition;

(s) the omnibus shall not carry any load or luggage on its canopy

38 (1) No person shall cause, permit or drive any multi purpose vehicle on any highway unless the following conditions are satisfied, that is --

(a) the maximum gross weight of the vehicle shall not exceed thirty-two tones;

(b) the maximum load allowed by the appropriate authority to be carried at any time shall be inscribed in figures on the two front doors of the vehicle;

(c) and be of such shape and colour as shall be clearly distinguishale from the colour of the background wheron the letters and figures are painted;

(d) the body shall be constructed with a minimum of twenty gauge sheet metal and fitted with a permanent rigid roof, with or without, a sliding panel; and

(e) any freight or load carried on the vehicle shall be secured in such a manner as to render it impossible for such freight or load or any part thereof to fall-off.

(2) The number of passengers carried shall not exceed the number approved by the Vehicle Inspection Officer

39. Where any stage carriage or omnibus licensed to ply for hire is hired by any person for use exclusively for any particular purpose such stage carriage or omnibus shall carry in a conspicuous place on the front and rear thereof a sign marked “ PRIVATE”

40. No stage carriage or omnibus licensed to operate between specified points shall stand or ply for hire on any route other than that approved by the appropriate authority.

41. (1) No person shall cause, permit or ride a motor-cycle for the purpose of hire or reward on any road or highway unless the following conditions are satisfied ---

(a) the cubic capacity of the motor-cycle shall be 100c and above but not more than 200c

(b) the motor-cycle shall bear a local identification mark and number allocated by the Authority to distinguish it from other non-commercial motor-cycles on the payment of the prescribed fee.

(d) Both the rider and passenger or on the head of the rider or passenger.

(e) Both the rider and the passenger shall wear safety crash helmets while on motion.

(f) The motor-cycle shall be kept clean at all times.

(g) The rider of a motor-cycle shall wear a coded reflective jacket which shall be designed and supplied by the appropriate authority on the payment of a prescribed fee.

(h) Unless while overtaking, no tow motor-cycle shall be ridden parallel to each other

(i) No motor-cycle shall be used to tow another

(j) A motor-cycle shall be fitted with tow pneumatic tyres on its wheels and at no point of its circumference shall the dept of the tread be less than 1 millimetre;

(k) The motor –cycle shall be equipped with at least one braking system which will have sufficient effect on both wheels to bring the motor-cycle to a stop while on reasonable speed for the purpose of hire or reward on any road;

(l) The motor-cycle shall while the engine is on, be sufficiently silent as to prevent unnecessary noise;

(m) The exhaust pipe of any motor-cycle shall not emit excessive smote;

(n) All motor-cycle shall have one head light, two traffficators at t he front and the rear, one parking light at the rear, one brake light and white light to shine on the number plate

(o) All motor-cycles shall be equipped with factory fitted horn sounding not more than a single note;

(p) All motor-cycles shall be equipped with two rear view mirrors, one on each side near the handle bar;

(q) All motor-cycles shall be fitted with two sets of foot rests for both the passenger and the rider

(2) No person shall cause, permit or ride a motor-cycle with three wheels on any road or highway unless the following conditions are satisfied ---

(a) shall not carry more than four person including the rider

(b) shall be kept clean at all times;

(d) shall be fitted with three pneumatic tyres on its wheels, each of which at no point of its circumference shall the depth of the tread be les than 1 millimetre;

(e) shall have at least one or a maximum of two head lights, two parking lights at the front and the rear, two traffficators at the front and the rear, brake lights and a single white light to shine on the number plate; and

(f) shall on no account be used for inter-city commuter service

42. (1) The appropriate authority may --

(a) fix maximum, and where necessary, minimum fares for taxis, stage carriages and omnibus;

(b) require taxis plying for hire to be fitted with a metre of or other device approved by the appropriate authority for the purpose of indicating the authorized fare for any journey;

(c) fix times tables for and determine stopping places in relation to stage carriages and omnibuses plying for hire on any specified routes;

(d) determine the days and hours of operation during which stage carriages and omnibuses may ply for hire.

(2) The metres specified in paragraph (1) (b) of this regulation, shall be regulated and published by the appropriate authority and any persons aggrieved thereby may appeal to any Magistrate Court

43 (1) Every taxi, stage carriage or omnibus shall be require to carry and exhibit a copy of the table of fares and the time-table (if any) applicable to it, printed in bold letters and placed in such a position on the vehicle as the appropriate authority may direct and every metere or other device for indicating authorized fares shall be kept in good working condition.

(2) Any person who demands or receives more than the approved fares

commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to N2,000

44. The owner, driver or conductor or any person acting on behalf of the owner, driver or conductor of a taxi, stage carriage or omnibus standing or plying for hire shall not---

(a) speak, make any noise or sound any instrument in order to attract the attention or the public or of a possible passenger; or

(b) act in any way as to make himself objectionable or a nuisance to any person or so as to cause any annoyance or inconvenience to any person.

45. The driver of a taxi, stage carriage or omnibus shall not smile while driving.

46. (1) If any person wishes to engage a taxi of a particular seating capacity or type and if such a taxi is not the first one on the stand, the driver of the first taxi of the required seating capacity or type on the stand shall accept the hire

(2) All taxis on the stand shall move up as vacancies occur.

47. The driver of a taxi when hired shall not, unless requested to do so by the hirer, stop his vehicle for a longer time than is reasonably necessary and, if he is not hired, he shall not stop his vehicle except on a public stand, and he shall not loiter when driving his vehicle on a highway.

48. The driver of a taxi shall not without reasonable excuse refuse to--

(a) be hired when the vehicle is on the stand; or

(b) drive the vehicle to any place indicated by the hirer if the whole journey including the return journey does not exceed forty kilometers; or

(c) carry such number of passengers, not exceeding the number specified in the registration book for the vehicle, as he may be required to carry by the hirer.

49. Where the driver of a taxi or the conductor or driver of a stage carriage or omnibus finds any property forgotten in the vehicle he shall without any delay take it to the nearest police station, the Commission or to the drivers union’s office in the park.

50. No person shall, while traveling in or upon a stage carriage or

omnibus --

(a) use any obscene, indecent, offensive or quarrelsome language or gesture, or behave in any manner likely to annoy or insuslt any other person; or

(b) Willfully, interfere with the comfort of any other passenger; or

(d) Willfully damage or feface the vehicle or any part thereof or any part of its equipment; or

(e) Willfully do or cause to be done with respect to any part of the vehicle or its equipment anything while is calculated to interfere with the working of the stage carriage or omnibus or so as to cause injury or discomfort to any other passenger; or

(f) Willfully obstruct or impede the driver or conductor in the exercise of their duty; or

(g) Enter into conversation with the driver of the vehicle whilst the vehicle is in motion; or

(h) Smoke or carry a lighted pipe, cigar or cigarette in any part of the vehicle whether or not a notice prohibiting smoking is exhibited in the vehicle; or

(i) Sell or offer for sale or distribute any goods or any printed matter of any description; or

(j) Throw any article from any part of the vehicle ; or

(k) Refuse to pay his fare when demanded; or

(l) Cause an obstruction to ten entrances or exits thereof or to the passenger way used to obtain access to the seats in the vehicle.

51 (1) All passenger-carrying commercial vehicles shall, before commencing any intercity journey, keep and maintain a passenger manifest indicating the names of its passengers, their addresses, their point of departure and destination

(2) Where the journey is broken by reason of some passenger alighting before the destination, another passenger may be admitted on board, and the terminal point of the former shall be recorded and the particulars of the latter entered in the manner prescribed in paragraph (1) of this regulation.

(3) A person taking charge of a motor vehicle shall not admit or cause to be admitted to board the vehicle, any passenger who fails or refuses to furnish his particulars in accordance with the provisions of this regulation.

(4) The driver or person taking charge of a passenger commercial vehicle shall, when requested by the appropriate authority, present the manifest for examination.

(5) The passenger manifest shall be bound in the form of a booklet and kept in triplicate such that one copy shall be deposited with the office at the point of departure, another kept at the office of the final destination and a copy kept as a permanent record for future reference in the vehicle and shall be in the form prescribed in Form MVA21 specified in Schedule 2 of these Regulation.

(6) A driver or a person taking charge of a passenger commercial vehicle who fails to comply with this provision commits an offence and it liable on conviction to a fine of N2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 6 months or both.

(7) A person shall not ---

(a) cause or permit any vehicle to park or ply for hire unless the vehicle is licensed under these Regulations; or

(b) cause or permit any vehicle to park or ply for hire unless the vehicle has an identification number plate as required by these Regulations; or

(c) cause or permit any vehicle to ply for hire unless the table of fares, timetable (if any) and the number of passengers the vehicle is licensed to carry is exhibited; or

(d) cause or permit any taxi which is required to be fitted with a meter or other device for indicating authorized fares to pack or ply for hire unless the meter or device is in good working condition or, while hired, fails to put scum metre or device into operation of such meter or device;

(e) cause or permit any taxi,

(f) while in charge of a stage carriage or omnibus pick up or discharge passengers except at an approved place;

(g) while in charge of a taxi, stage carriage or omnibus contravene or permit any contravention of any of these Regulations.

(8) Any person who contravenes any regulation under this Part commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to fine of N2,000 or to imprisonment for six months.

PART VII – USE AND CONSTRUCTION

52. No person shall cause, permit or drive a motor vehicle or trailer on any

highway unless the conditions set out in this Part are complied with ---

(a) a vehicle, with its net weight exceeding 254 kilograms shall be capable of moving either forward or backwards;

(b) no vehicle or trailer shall exceed 2.5 metres in width, and 12 metres overall length inclusive of any load thereon;

Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to an omnibus

(d) no load may protrude more than 0.914 metres beyond the front elevation of a motor vehicle or trailer or more than 1.829 metres beyond the rear elevation of the vehicle or more than 0.76 metres beyond either side or the vehicle, and where the load projects more than 1.219 metres behind the rear elevation of such vehicle, a red flag shall be fixed by day to the extreme end of the load and a red lamp by night in a similar position and the flag or lamp shall be clearly visible from the rear.

(e) the height from the ground level of any vehicle or trailer with any freight or load placed thereon shall not at any point exceed 3.353 metres:

provided that where the freight or load is entirely composed of seed cotton, or cotton lint, foams and plastic the height of such freight or load from the ground level may be increased to 3.810 metres;

(f) the freight or load on any motor vehicle shall be carried in such a manner as not to render the freight or load or any part thereof insecure when the motor vehicle or trailer is in motion.

(g) no freight or load whatsoever shall be carried on the top or outside the hood, canopy or roof of any motor vehicle other than the spare tyres for such vehicle unless the vehicle is in possession of a certificate issued to that effect by appropriate authority.

(h) freight or load whose weight is more than that the vehicle is constructed to carry shall not be carried by any commercial vehicle or trailer and the owner of any vehicle or trailer shall inscribe the net weight of the vehicle, the weight of freight or load and where required by the appropriate authority the axic weights on some conspicuous part of the vehicle;

(i) no passenger other than an escort or conductor shall be carried on a trailer;

(j) no passenger shall be carried on a commercial vehicle not being a stage carriage or taxi or hearse other than the owner of hirer of the vehicle or the owner of the goods carried on the vehicle or the servants or agents of the hirer;

(k) no person shall stand, in or on a motor vehicle or trailer which is not covered while in motion.

53. (1) A motor vehicle and trailer shall be fitted with pneumatic tyres on all its wheels at no point of circumference of such tyres shall the depth of the tread be less than one millimeter.

(2) No person shall use or cause to be used on a road any motor vehicle or trailer any wheel of which is fitted with a re-cut pneumatic tyre and fabric of which has been exposed by the re-cutting process.

(3) Tyres of vehicles shall carry on the side walls full specifications on safety regarding load capacity, maximum speed permitted, pressure, and codes for date of production.

(4) All commercial motor vehicles carrying ten or more passengers shall have emergency exits.

(5) The front and rear bumpers shall be made of collapsible materials, 50cm by 12 cm above the surface of the road and be spaced at least 12 cm from the main frame of the vehicle

(6) All motor vehicles plying the highways shall be in possession of good

electric or air horn, jack, wheel spanner, tools, fire extinguisher, inflated spare tyre, first aid box, emergency warning triangles or cones, laminated windscreen and mirrors, speed governor, wipers, insurance certificate and road worthiness certificate.

(7) The fire extinguisher shall be carried for different categories of vehicles as follows –

(a) Articulated Vehicles/Trailers : 2 Nos. 9 Kg;

(b) Lorries : 2 Nos. 6 Kg;

(d) Buses : 1 No. 2 Kg;

(e) Pick-up Van : 1 No. 2 Kg;

(f) Taxi Cab/Private Cars : 1 No. 1 Kg;

and shall conform with the specifications set out in Schedule 13 of these Regulations.

54 (1)A motor vehicle shall be equipped with two entirely independent and efficient braking systems, or with one efficient braking system having two independent means of operation, in either case designed, constructed or maintained that the failure of any single portion of the braking system shall not, even under the most adverse conditions, prevent the brakes on two wheels or, in the case of a vehicle having less than four wheels, on one wheel, from operating effectively so as either to hold such wheels from revolving or to have the same effect in stopping the motor vehicle as if such wheels were so held:

Provided that in case of a single braking system two means of operation shall not be deemed not to be independent solely by reason of the fact that they are connected either directly or indirectly with the same cross shaft.

(2) In the case of a motor vehicle having more than three wheels and equipped with two independent braking systems each system shall be so constructed, designed and maintained that if it acts (either directly or indirectly) on two wheels it shall act on two wheels on the same axle.

(3) Where in the case of a single braking system, the means of operation are connected either directly or indirectly with the same cross shaft the brakes applied by one of such means shall act on all the wheels of the motor vehicle directly and not through the transmission gear.

(4) In all cases the brakes operated by one of the means of operation shall be applied by direct mechanical action without the intervention of any hydraulic, electrical or pneumatic device.

(5) In all cases the brakes operated by one of the means of operation shall act directly upon the wheels and not through the transmission gear.

(6) Except in the case of a motor cycle, with or without a side-car, the braking systems shall be so designed, constructed and maintained that it may be set so effectually to prevent two at least, or in the case of a motor vehicle having only three wheels, one of the wheels, from revolving when the vehicle is left unattended.

55 (1) All engines or a vehicle shall be efficiently silent and no cut-outs or open exhausts shall be used.

(2) Exhaust pipes for heavy duty diesel operated trucks shall be positioned to the kerb or near side.

(3) The exhaust pipe of any motor vehicle shall not emit excessive smoke

56 (1) All motor vehicles shall have complete headlights, parking lights and trafficating lights in good working condition.

(2) All motor vehicles and trailers between sunset and sunrise shall be required to carry lighted lamps which shall be electric or other kind of light approved for the purpose by either the appropriate authority and no other light of any colour other than those which are laid down in these Regulations shall be exhibited on any vehicle without the express permission in writing of the appropriate authority:

provided that all illuminated mascots, if fitted as a standard fitting, may be retained and illuminated direction indicators may be used.

(3) The lamps referred to in paragraph (2) of this regulation shall be placed as follows –

(a) motor vehicle, except motor cycle without, side-cars, shall carry at least two lamps in front, one on each side of the vehicle, so constructed or placed as to exhibit a white light which shall within a reasonable distance in the direction towards which the vehicle is facing and clearly indicate the width of the vehicle;

(b) in the case of commercial vehicles when either of the lamps refereed to in subparagraph

(a) of this paragraph is placed in such a position that the distance of the

center of the lamp from the extreme outside point of the vehicle on its appropriate side exceeds 0.305 metres two additional lamps shall be fitted at the front side of the vehicle one on each side so that its center shall not exceed the aforesaid distance of 0.305 metres and so clearly as to indicate the width of the vehicle to approaching traffic and the lamps shall be focused below the horizontal and exhibit a light of sufficient power only to indicate the width of the vehicle ;

(c) all motor vehicles shall carry at least two tails lamps with reflectors which when illuminated shall be visible within a reasonable distance and shall be placed one on either side of the rear of the vehicle so clearly as to indicate its width; one of such lamps shall be so constructed as to illuminate and render easily distinguishable every letter and figure on the identification plate fixed on the back of the motor vehicle, unless a separate lamp is carried which adequately fulfils this promise;

(d) a motor cycle without a side-car shall carry one lamp in front so constructed or placed as to reveal a white light visible within a reasonable distance in the direction towards which the motorcycle is facing;

(e) a motor cycle without a side-car, shall have one red tail lamp with a reflector and when illuminated shall be visible within a reasonable distance and shall be placed in an unobstructed position on the rear of the motor cycle and be so constructed as to illuminated or render easily distinguishable every letter and figure on the identification plate fixed on the back of the motor cycle;

(g) motor vehicles shall carry two yellow stop lights which shall be illuminated whenever the foot brake of a vehicle is engaged and shall be placed at the back of the vehicle;

provided that a motor cycle with or without a side car shall carry only one such stop light.

(h) when a trailer is attached to a motor vehicle sub-paragraphs (b), (e) and (g) of this paragraph shall also apply to the trailer

(i) trailers shall be fitted with reflectors on both side of the back of the trailer showing the letter “T” in amber written on white reflective background of the tail board which shall be of a minimum height of 0.152 metre;

(j) any head lamp shall be placed so as not to project above the bottom of the frame of the windscreen and shall not be placed more than 1.069 metre or less than 0.610 metres from the ground;

(k) no side, parking or rear lamp shall exceed six watts;

(l) no head lamp shall be used unless such lamp is so constructed, fitted or maintained that the beam of light emitted therefrom --

(i) is permanently deflected downwards to such an extent that it is at all times incapable of dazzling any person, standing on the same horizontal plane as the vehicle at the greater distance than 6.100 metres from the lamp whose high level is not less than 1.070 metres above the place;

(ii) can be deflected downwards or both downwards to the right at the wheel of the driver in such a manner as to render it incapable of dazzling any person in the circumstances aforesaid, or

(iii) can be extinguished by the operation of a device at the same time causing a beam of light to be emitted from the light which conforms with sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph;

(m) all motor vehicles shall be titled with a device for deflecting or extinguishing lights;

(n) no light other than a yellow light or light of such other colour as may be prescribed shall be affixed to the front of any vehicle;

(o) no light other than the red light shall be affixed to the rear of any vehicle expect that a white light may be exhibited when the vehicle is in the process of being reversed;

(p) all commercial vehicles other than taxis shall have two reflective red stickers fitted to the two extreme ends at the rear of the vehicle which shall be 101.60 m (4 inches) in width and 0.305 m (12 inches) in length to indicate the maximum width of the vehicle;

57. (1) A motor vehicle shall be fitted with electric horn sounding not more than a single note and the use by motor vehicles of any form of warning appliances other than of a type approved by the appropriate authority is prohibited.

(2) no motor vehicle shall be fitted with excessively loud horns such that when such horns are sounded would constitute a nuisance to other road users.

58. (1) All vehicles shall be equipped with at least two mirrors which shall be fitted externally, one on the offside and the other on the nearside of the vehicle, and the mirrors shall be so constructed or fitted to the motor vehicle as to assist the driver to be aware of traffic to the rear and on both sides rearward.

(2) A motor vehicle shall carry a driving mirror which shall be so fixed inside the vehicle as to enable the driver when driving to have a clear view reflected in the mirror of any following traffic.

(3) A motor vehicle shall have fitted in the front and rear seats, seat belts which shall be utilized by any occupant of such a vehicle while it is on motion.

(4) The driver of any vehicle shall ensure that all passengers in the vehicle

have their seat belts firmly fitted while the vehicle is in motion.

59. A motor vehicle or trailer when moving on any highway shall have its wheel properly aligned to the chassis so that the true rolling motion of the wheels or trailer shall be conveyed to the road and no motor vehicle or trailer with a defective wheel, wheel hub, or axle tree, shall be used on any highway.

60 (1) A motor vehicle shall be provided with a strong and reliable steering gear which shall be provided in such a state of repair and adjustment as to allow the vehicle to be turned readily and with certainty and the steering apparatus or driving gear of a motor vehicle shall be so arranged that the driver can manipulate the controls with certainty and the same time have a clear view of the road.

(2) A motor vehicle for use on Nigeria highways, shall be equipped with

steering air bag installed to prevent head injury to the driver in case of an accident.

(3) The Commission shall, in pursuance of the powers conferred upon it by

these Regulations determine the commencement date for the use of the steering air bag under these Regulations.

61. (1)A motor vehicle, including motor cycle and semi- trailer, shall be equipped with suitable free acting or efficient springs, and these springs, and these springs shall be kept at all times in proper alignment or properly secured to the axle or to the frame of the vehicle so that no undue lateral movement is allowed

(2) In this regulation, “motor vehicle” includes vehicles with air or hydraulic suspensions.

62. (1) All glass fitted to a motor vehicle shall be laminated or safety glass approved by the appropriate authority and shall be maintained in such condition as not to obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on the highway, and no ornaments or impediments or any description shall be placed on or near such glass which are likely to obscure the vision of the driver to both the front and the near of the vehicle

(2) All glass fitted to a vehicle shall be clear and transparent to enable persons outside the vehicle see whoever is inside the vehicle and all such glass shall in no way be tinted except as may be approved by the police for security reason.,

63. A motor vehicle shall be fitted with electrically or mechanically operated windscreen wipers, which shall be maintained in proper working condition.

64. A motor vehicle or trailer shall be provided with mudguards to catch as for as practical mud or water thrown up by the rotation of the wheels, unless adequate protection is afforded by the body of the vehicle.

65. A motor vehicle shall be fitted with an efficient speedometer which shall be plus or minus ten per cent accurate at 50 kilometers per hour and shall be maintained in proper working condition.

66 (1) Spirit tankers and explosive tankers shall---

(a) be fitted with double pole armored wiring with insulated return electrical units and a battery insulation mater switch.

(b) Carry warning danger labels to be displayed conspicuously at the front and rear of the vehicle as specified in Schedule 12 of these Regulations; an

(d) Pack away from populated areas

67. A motor vehicle or trailer and all parts and accessories of such vehicle or trailer shall be in such condition as not to cause or likely to cause danger to any person therein or any person using the highway or any property lying on or adjourning the highway.

68. A motor cycle shall be fitted with two leg guards placed in such a position and of a type approved by the appropriate authority.

69. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d) and (e) of regulation 75, the appropriate authority, may grant a permit in writing for particular occasion(s), for the carriage by a motor vehicle or trailer of any specified freight or load which by reason of the nature of the freight or load is incapable of being so placed on the vehicle does not conform with the requirement of the said sub-paragraph and such permit shall be subject t any conditions endorsed thereon and shall be carried by the driver of the motor vehicle and shall be produced by him on demand by any appropriate authority.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 57, the appropriate authority may grant a permit in writing exempting a specified type of motor vehicle or trailer from the requirements of the said sub-paragraph.

(5) The permit referred to in this regulation shall state concisely and precisely the conditions which have necessitated the issuance of the permit

70. A semi-trailer shall not be used on any highway unless the following special conditions are observed

(a) the coupling provided for attaching the trailer to a prime mover shall be efficient for the purpose;

(b) the three or four wheeled semi-trailer exceeding 0.508 tonnes net weight or two wheeled trailer exceeding 0.254 tonnes net weight shall have a brake in good working condition which shall be operated from the cab of the motor vehicle and which when applied shall cause two of the wheels of the trailer on the same axle to be so held that the wheels shall be effectually prevented form revolving, or shall have the same effect in stopping the trailer as if such wheels were so held;

Provided that this paragraph shall not apply where a trailer is drawn only by a tractor;

(c) the gross weight of a two or three wheeled trailer shall not exceed four tonnes and the gross weight of a four wheeled trailer shall not exceed ten tonnes on each single axle;

(d) not more than ten tonnes shall be carried on any single axle or sixteen tonnes on a tandem axle of a trailer:

Provided that the appropriate authority may by consent in writing, and subject to any condition which he may impose, exempt a particular trailer from these provisions and may authorize the Vehicle Inspection Officer to given such consent in writing.

(e) the wheel base of any trailer having an axle weight of six tonnes or over shall not be less than 3.048 metres between axle centers;

(f) not more than one passenger may be carried or be permitted to be carried in a trailer:

provided that the Vehicle Inspection Officer may by consent in writing, and subject to any conditions which he may impose, exempt a particular trailer from this provision.

71. No motor vehicle shall be registered or driven on any public road if the

steering apparatus of the motor vehicle is fitted on the right hand side of the vehicle.

72. (1) A motor vehicle (including motor cycle) shall be fitted with efficient direction indicators and shall conform to any of the following --

(a) two direction indicators which shall, when in operation, be in the form of an illuminated sign of amber colour of a minimum illuminated length of 0.203 metres and of a maximum illuminated breadth of one-fourth of the length, and the illumination surface shall be visible from both the front and the rear for the vehicle provided that the illuminated indicators of all articulated vehicles shall cover the whole length of both sides of such vehicles;

(b) four direction indicators two of which shall be fitted at the front of the

vehicle and two at the rear of the vehicle, which shall, when in operation, be in the form of a flashing sign clearly visible within a reasonable distance when facing the front of the vehicle shall be of an amber or red colour and they shall be fitted to the front and the rear of the vehicle in such a position as to indicate clearly when in operation, that the vehicle is turning either left or right ; or

(c) two direction indicators one of which shall be fitted to the near side of the vehicle and one to the far side of the vehicle which shall, when in operation, be in the form of flashing sign clearly visible within a reasonable distance when facing both the front and rear of the vehicle and front part of each indicator shall be of an amber or white colour and the rear part shall be of an amber or red colour and they shall be fitted in such a manner as to indicate clearly when in operation, that the vehicle is turning either left or right.

(2) In the case of a motor vehicle not fitted with electric lighting equipment or where it is impracticable to obtain an illuminated indicator conforming to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this regulation every motor vehicle including a motor-cycle with or without side car shall be fitted with at least two efficient direction indicators which shall be in the form of a pointer not les than 0.305 metres in length and 51 millimetres in breadth presenting, when in operation, a white surface visible from both the front and the rear of the vehicle.

(3) Direction indicators intended to indicate a right hand turn shall be fitted only on the near side and direction indicators intended to indicate a left hand turn shall be fitted only on the off side or left side of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle, when in his driving seat, shall be readily aware that such indicators are operating correctly.

4. A direction indicator shall be so fitted that, when not in operation it shall not be likely to mislead any other road user or any person controlling traffic.

5. A light shown by a direction indicator shall be diffused by means of frosted glass or other adequate means.

73. (1) A commercial vehicle, trailer, taxi, stage carriage, omnibus or motorcycle for hire shall before being registered or licensed and every six months thereafter be examined by the Vehicle Inspection Officer

(2) A private vehicle or motor cycle shall be examined four years after the date of manufacture and every twelve months thereafter.

(3) Where a vehicle is found to be road-worthy, the Vehicle Inspection Officer shall issued a certificate to that effect as in Form MVA 22 specified in Schedule 3 of these Regulations which shall remain valid in the case of private vehicles and motorcycles for twelve months and in every other case for six months.

(4) Notwithstanding, the provisions of paragraph (3) of this regulation the

issuance of road-worthiness certificate to any particular vehicle be it private or commercial as in Form MVA 23 specified in Schedule 3 of these Regulations shall be accompanied by a road –worthiness validity tag which shall be conspicuously displayed on the windscreen of such vehicle.

(5) A duplicate certificate shall be issued upon application to the Vehicle

Inspection Officer and upon payment of the prescribed fees but where the registration book has been lost and appropriate authority shall authorize the issuance of a replacement of the certificate if any.

(6) Where a vehicle is found not to be road-worthy in any respect whatsoever the owner of the vehicle shall be survived with a notice in writing as specified in Form MVA 24 set out in Schedule 3 of these Regulations by the appropriate authority setting out the defects to be remedied, and a red sticker pasted on the windscreen of the vehicle and the owner shall not after receipt of such notice permit the vehicle to be used or submit the vehicle for licence to any Authority until such time as the defects have been remedied

(7) The form of the red sticker may be determined by the Commission and the appropriate authority from time to time.

(8) A notice “OFF THE ROAD” shall be affixed on the windscreen of any

vehicle found to be unroad-worthy, by the appropriate authority. The notice shall be as prescribed in Form MVA 25 of Schedule 3.

(9) No fee shall be payable by the owner for the first examination of any

vehicle under this regulation but the prescribed fee shall be required to be paid in respect of every subsequent examination of the vehicle.

74. (1) No motor vehicle shall be used on a highway if the axle weight exceeds ten tonnes, or if the gross weight of the vehicle exceed thirty-two tonnes.

(2) The appropriate authority may, by consent in writing and subject to any conditions, exempt any vehicle trailer or plant used for the construction or maintenance or road or bridges from complying with this regulation.

(3) A consent given under this regulation shall be carried at all times on the vehicle until its revocation or expiration.

75. A motor vehicle other than a two-wheeled motor cycle without a side-car shall be equipped at the rear with at least two red reflex reflectors other than the triangular form and --

(a) on either side, the outer edge of the illuminating surface fattest from the vehicle’s median longitudinal plane shall not be more than 0.40 metre from the extreme outer edge of the vehicle.

(b) the reflex reflectors shall be visible to the driver of an approaching vehicle from the rear at night in clear weather, at a distance of at least 150 metres when illuminated by the driving lights of that vehicle.

76. (1) A trailer shall be equipped with at least two red reflex reflectors

and --

(a) each reflector shall have the shape of an equilateral triangle with one vertex uppermost and one side horizontal, and with side not less than 0.15 metre or more than 0.20 metre long;

(b) on either side, the outer edge of the illuminating surface farthest from the trailer’s median longitudinal plane shall not be more than 0.40 metre from the extreme outer edge of the trailer; so however that, any trailer with an overall width not exceeding 0.80 metre may be equipped with only one reflector if it is coupled to a two-wheeled motor cycle without side car; and the reflectors shall meet the requirements for visibility specified in regulation 77.

(2) A trailer shall be equipped at the front and the rear with two white reflex reflectors each other, than triangular form and the reflectors shall meet the positioning and visibility requirements specified in regulation 77.

77. An appropriate authority may, at any time and for reasonable cause, require a commercial vehicle or trailer to be driven to any reasonably convenient place to have its net or gross weight or any axle weight ascertained, and the person driving or in charge of such vehicle or trailer shall comply accordingly.

78. No person shall drive, take charge, cause or permit to be driven a motor vehicle or trailer on any highway as to contravene or breach the provisions of these Regulations.

PART VIII – DRIVING

79. A person driving or in control of a motor vehicle on any highway

shall ---

(a) not drive at a speed exceeding 50 kilometers per hour in any town, village, residential or industrial area, as illustrated in Scheduled 8 or as may be shown on speed sign along the road;

(b) if the vehicle is a commercial vehicle, shall not exceed the speed limit

prescribed in Schedule 8 of these regulations;

(d) not let t he vehicle be in such position that he cannot control same, or that he cannot obtain a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the vehicle

(e) whenever necessary and provided it is not in contravention of any law

sound his horn or other appliances given audible sufficient warning of his approach, use any appliance which

(f) on the request of any appropriate authority or any person having charge of animals on the highway, if any such person puts up his hand or blows his whistle as a signal for that purpose, cause the vehicle to stop and remains stationary if so directed and as long as may be reasonably necessary to allow the animals cross from one side to the other side of the road;

(g) before rounding any curve or corner, or entering or crossing a road or approaching a fork reduce speed and in rounding any curve or corner, keep a close as possible to the right hand side of the road and when rounding any corner or any curve at which the road ahead is not visible for a greater distance than 92 metres or entering or crossing or attempting to pass any traffic traveling in the same direction and shall not otherwise than by reason of an enforced stoppage or owing to the necessities of traffic, stop his vehicle within 8 metres from any corner;

(h) not be asleep while in control of the vehicle on a highway ;

(i) draw up his vehicle close to the side of and where provided, on the shoulders or the road, so as to allow a clear roadway for passing traffic and obey and direction of any appropriate authority as to where to place his vehicle while waiting on the road, and not leave the vehicle unattended on any highway with the engine running or quit the vehicle without having applied the hand brake and without having taken due precautions against it being started in his absence, or allow the vehicle to stand on the highway as to cause any unnecessary obstruction thereto;

(j) except in the case of a motor cycle carry on the vehicle at least one spare tyre capable of being fixed to an axle, a jack or any appliance sufficiently strong to lift the vehicle for the purposes of changing a wheel and the necessary tools for effecting such a change;

(k) obey all directions whether verbal or signal given by any appropriate authority to stop the vehicle or make it slow down and keep to any directed line of traffic;

(l) make use of hand signals specified in Schedule 7 and pay regards to such signals when used by other persons; but where mechanically or electrically operated indicators are fitted to the vehicle they may be used instead of or in addition to hand signals;

(m) comply with the signs illustrated in Schedule 9 and all other traffic signs placed on or near any highway;

(n) obey all notices all notices, on any highway where such notices are erected or exhibited in accordance with these Regulations or by an authority responsible for the construction or maintenance of the highway for the purpose of prohibiting, restricting, or regulating traffic over bridges, or sections of the road;

(o) on approaching any appropriate authority on duty at any road junction give the appropriate signal and on no account proceed to cross the road until the appropriate signal and on no account proceed to cross the road until the appropriate authority has signaled permission for him to do so;

(p) permit any person to be in the vehicle in such a position a to interfere with the driver’s control of the vehicle or his full view of the road and traffic ahead or his ability to make the hand-signals prescribed in Schedule 7;

(q) on demand by an appropriate authority produce his driver’s licence for inspection;

(r) not permit any person to ride on the wings, running boards, fenders or bonnet or sides of the vehicle except for the purpose of testing the vehicle during repairs ;

(s) not permit, in the case of a commercial vehicle, any person to ride on the steps, tail-board or roof of the vehicle, nor on any load or freight on the vehicle or on any trailer drawn thereby;

(t) not permit any person other than the person in charge thereof to be carried don a motor vehicle which is being drawn by another motor vehicle;

(u) not leave the vehicle if demobilized or broken down on any highway except at the right or nearside or shoulder of the road and in such case, cause such vehicle to bear lighted lamps at the front and the rear thereof between sunset and sunrise.

80 (1) When two or more motor vehicles approach each other on a highway, the driver of each vehicle shall, where by reason of the width and condition of such highway it is necessary or desirable so to do, cause his vehicle to slow down for the purpose of allowing safe passage to the other vehicle or any other traffic on the highway

(2) A driver of a motor vehicle shall, when approaching and passing another vehicle coming from the opposite direction, drive his vehicle on the right or near-side of the highway

(3) A driver of a motor vehicle when overtaking another motor vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass such vehicle on the left or off-side thereof; except when the driver in front has signaled his intention to turn or when traffic is moving slowly in queues and vehicles in the left lane are slower than he is.

(4) When a motor vehicle is being overtaken by another, the front vehicle shall slow down the overtaking vehicle to pass safely.

(5) Any person who overloads his vehicle with passengers or load beyond the capacity permitted or prescribed by law commits an offence and is liable on conviction where it is a private car or taxi to N1,000 fine, where it is an omnibus, stage carriage or articulated vehicle to 2,000.

(6) The driver of a vehicle shall not whist the vehicle is in motion engage in activities such as smoking or eating any type of food as to make it impossible for him to hold the steering with both hands.

(7) No driver of a vehicle shall whist the vehicle is on motion receive or make telephone calls in any forms.

81. The driver of a commercial vehicle shall, whenever it is necessary or desirable by reason of the width or condition of the highway, stop his vehicle in order to allow lighter motor traffic approaching or overtaking him to pass

82. (1) subject to Regulation 41, the following general provisions shall apply to motorcycle riders and passengers

(2) The rider of a motor-cycle shall not carry any person or object in front of him on the motor cycle but, if the motor-cycle is fitted with a seat properly constructed for that purpose and firmly affixed to the frame, may carry not more than one person sitting astride at the rear of the motor-cycle; and where a side car is firmly attached to the motor cycle he may carry not more than the number of person for which seating capacity in such side car is provided by the manufacturers.

(3) if the rider of a motor-cycle is the holder of a learner’s permit no person shall be carried at the rear of the motor-cycle unless that person is licensed to ride a motor cycle and is being carried for the purpose of giving instruction to the learner.

(4) Where a motor –cycle is registered in the commercial category, It shall

conform with the provisions of this regulation and shall be painted with the approved taxi colour of the State or the ––––Federal– ––Capital– ––Territory––.

(5) In the case of a motor-cycle having three wheels registered for hire, the appropriate authority shall ascertain the number of persons to be carried, licensed on gross vehicle weight and it shall be painted on the motor-cycle with the approved taxi colour.

83. Any person who in any way obstructs or molests the driver of a vehicle whist on motion commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N1,000

84. (1) The driver of a motor-vehicle shall avoid unnecessary noise when the vehicle is stationary and for the purpose every vehicle shall be so constructed as to enable the driver when the vehicle is stationary to stop the action of any machinery attached to or forming part of the vehicle in so far as may be necessary for the prevention of noise.

(2) Proper precautions shall be taken by the owner or any person in control of a vehicle to prevent the unnecessary discharge of the products of combustion, steam or lubricating oil on any highway

(3) A driver or person in charge of a vehicle shall not cause or permit the

vehicle or trailer drawn thereby to remain at rest on a road in such a position or condition or circumstances as likely to cause danger to other persons using the road.

85. (1) Any person who drives or causes a vehicle to be driven on the highway as to contravene any provisions of this Part, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to fine of N1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) The driver of a vehicle shall take precaution when approaching a pedestrian or zebra crossing.

PART IX – REMOVAL OF VEHICLES

86. (1) Where a vehicle is stationary as to constitute obstruction on a highway the appropriate authority may, subject to paragraph (3) of this regulation, cause the vehicle to be removed where ---

(a) there is a reasonable cause to believe that the presence of the vehicle on the highway contravenes any law; or

(b) the vehicle is in such a position or condition as to cause obstruction to other users of the highway or constitute danger to other users of the highway; or

(2) The appropriate authority may use such force as may be reasonably

necessary for the purpose of removing the vehicle from the highway or

gaining access to any part of it in order to facilitate the removal.

(3) Where a vehicle is removed pursuant to this regulation, the owner or driver of the vehicle shall pay a sum of N100 and other prescribed penalty for everyday and vehicle is in the custody of the appropriate authority.

87. (1) It shall be the duty of the Commission and any other appropriate authority to --

(a) Provide and maintain places where vehicles removed in pursuance to

regulation 91 shall be kept;

(b) Provide suitable facilities (including equipment and manpower) for the

removal of vehicles in pursuance of regulation 91.

(d) Provide and maintain a record containing particulars of each removed

vehicle and its contents, specifying --

(i) Date of its removal

(ii) The park in which it s kept, Irrespective of whether an application for recovery of the removed vehicle has been made pursuant to regulation 94 (2)

(2) The appropriate authority shall not be under any duty to protect removal vehicles from damage occasioned by sun, rain, wind or other physical condition s or any other natural cause.

88. (1) The owner of a removed vehicle who want to recover the said vehicle shall furnish the officer in charge of the removed vehicle park with---

(a) Satisfactory evidence of his ownership of the removed vehicle; and

(b) Evidence of compliance with regulation 91 (3); and

(2) Nothing in this regulation shall be construed as precluding the officer in charge of removed vehicles park form asking for proof of the identity of any claimant.

(3) Subject to compliance with regulation 91(3), the officer in charge of a

removed vehicle shall release the vehicle to a genuine claimant upon payment of towering charges where necessary. The certificate of release of removed vehicle shall be as specified in Form MVA 29 Schedule 10

89. (1) If the driver or owner of a vehicle fails to reclaim the vehicle within six months of its detention, the Commission or any other appropriate authority may apply to the High Court for an order of forfeiture of the vehicle to the Commission or any other appropriate authority which may thereafter dispose the vehicle by public auction and pay the proceeds into Government coffers

(2) A person claiming to be entitled to the benefit of a charge or lieu on a

removed vehicle or its contents may at any time before the making of an application in respect of the vehicle in pursuance of paragraph (3) apply to the court for an order protecting his interest in the vehicle or the contents therein, and the court may make such order vesting the vehicle or its contents in any person on such terms as it deems fit.

(3) If an application in respect of a removed vehicle is made by the

Commission or any other appropriate authority pursuant to paragraph (1) of this regulation, the court may order the forfeiture of the vehicle and the contents therein to the Commission or any appropriate authority which may dispose same in accordance with this regulation.

(4) In this Part ---

“Court” includes the Federal High Court and the High Court of Federal Capital

Territory, having the requisite jurisdiction.

“Removed vehicle” means a vehicle removed pursuant to regulation 91;

“Removed Vehicle Park” means places where vehicles removed pursuant to

regulation 91 are kept;

“Vehicles” include trailers and other things attached to the vehicles and

contents therein.

PART X – SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE DRIVING VEHICLES

90. (1) No person shall drive, cause or permit any person employed by him to drive any vehicle

(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), for any continuous period or more than five and one half hours; or

(b) For period amounting in the aggregate to more than ten and one-half hours in any period of twenty-four hours commencing two hours after midnight, except that where it is necessary for a driver to conclude a long distance journey the period may be extended to twelve and one-half hours in all; or

(c) Where the driver has not at least eight consecutive hours for rest in any period of twenty-four hours calculated from the commencement of any period of driving.

(2) Where the duration of a journey exceeds five and a half hours, the driver shall have intervals of rest of not less than thirty minutes in every three hours of the said journey.

(3) for the purpose of this regulation –

(a) any two or more periods of driving time shall be deemed to be a continuous period unless separated by interval of not less than thirty minutes for the purpose of enabling the driver to obtain rest and refreshment; and

(b) any time spent by a driver on other work in connection with the vehicle or load carried thereby shall be reckoned as time spend in driving.

(4) Any person who acts in contravention of this regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N2,000

PART XI – SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EXPRESSWAY

91. No person shall on any expressway permit --

(a) The movement of cattle or like stock, other than that carried in a motor vehicle, or at designated points;

(b) or be concerned with the buying or selling of livestock; or

92. Tri-cycles, motor-cycles under 50cc, invalid carriage, hand pushed trucks, pedal cyclists and pedestrians with or without perambulators shall not be permitted on any expressway, except on trucks and paths which have been provided for such use, and may not cross any expressway except at designated location.

93. Agricultural machines shall not be driven on any expressway

94. No person shall permit the loading or off-loading of any passenger or goods from any motor vehicle except at designated locations.

95. No person shall on any expressway, board or alight from any motor vehicle except at designated locations.

96. The following dimensions and weights shall be the maximum permission for motor vehicles using any expressway--

Length .. .. .. 18.288 metres,

Width .. .. .. 2.591 metres

Height .. .. .. 3.25 metres,

Single axle load .. .. .. 10 tonnes,

Tandem axle load .. .. .. 16 tonnes,

Provided that the appropriate authority may when necessary, permit in writing for the carriage by a motor vehicle or trailer of any specified freight or load which by reason of the nature of the freight or load is incapable of being so placed on the vehicle as to conform to this regulation.

97. Motor vehicles exceeding 9.144 metres in length shall be required to carry the following additional lights --

(a) two white lights, not exceeding six watts, which shall be placed on the front, at the extreme offside and nearside, and at the highest practicable point of the vehicle, so as to indicate to approaching drivers from the rear, the width and height of the vehicle.

(b) two red lights, not exceeding six watts, which shall be placed on the rear at the extreme offside and nearside, and as the highest practicable point of the vehicle, so as to indicate to approaching drivers from the rear, the width and height of the vehicle.

98. (1) No motor vehicle shall have protruding or tailing loads and all loads shall be contained with the permissible overall dimensions of the vehicle in accordance with regulations 57 and 101.

(2) No motor vehicle shall have its load spilling such that it causes danger to other road users or litters the highway and all such load shall be adequately covered.

99. The minimum speed of any motor vehicle shall be 45 kilometres an hours and the maximum speed 100 kilometres an hour, except where otherwise indicated by a sign as prescribed in Schedule 9 of these Regulation.

100. No motor vehicle shall stop on any expressway except in the case of an emergency or when signaled to stop by any appropriate authority and no repairs or servicing of vehicles shall be carried out on the main carriageway of ay expressway.

101. No motor vehicle may enter or lease an expressway cross the central reserve or perform a U-turn except at locations designated for that purpose

102. No motor vehicle shall be parked on the central reserve of any expressway except in the case of an emergency; a vehicle may be parked on the hand shoulder.

103. Where under these Regulations it is required that a motor vehicle or trailer shall have painted or marked thereon any words, letters, figures or symbols or to be repainted or otherwise marked, from time to time, the wonder of the vehicle or trailer shall paint or mark the said words, letter, figures or symbols legibly and clearly distinguishable at all time.

104. (1) An appropriate authority may inspect any motor vehicle or trailer with a view to ascertaining whether the provision of the Act, these Regulations, or permit or notice issued hereunder are being complied with

(2) Where an appropriate authority is satisfied that there is non-compliance with any of these Regulations, the appropriate authority may prohibit the further use of the motor vehicle or trailer in contraventions of any order pursuant to the regulation commits an offence and it liable on convincing to a fine of N200

(3) Without prejudice to the provision of part VIII an appropriate authority

may stop any vehicle to ascertain whether the vehicle or any trailer drawn thereby is used to contravene the provisions of the Act or any of these Regulations and my detain the vehicle commits an offence and it liable on conviction may detain in the vehicle or trailer until of the issue leading to the detention and disposed of.

(4) Any appropriate authority may require a vehicle to be weighed or reweighed as may be expedient.

(5) The owner or driver of any vehicle shall demand by an appropriate

authority produce the vehicle or any trailer drawn hereby at a stipulated time and place for inspection to ascertain whether the provisions of the Act or these Regulations are being complied with.

105 (1) A road traffic accident shall be reported to the Police Station and the Commission’s office or any appropriate authority nearest to the scene of the accident.

(2) A road traffic accident shall be recorded as follows –

(a) a minor accident, where minor damage is caused to the highway and the vehicle and there is no injury to any person or persons;

(b) a serious accident, where there is extensive damage to the highway and injury to person on the highway; and

(3) It shall be the duty of the appropriate authority to notify and invite the

police and or the vehicle inspection officer to take all necessary measurements at the scene of an accident, record, analyses and investigate and make a written report as specified in Form 26 set out in Scheudle 4 of these Regulations provided that where the information required to be written down is detailed, the officer carrying out the signed by him and notify the vehicle inspector officer to inspect the accident vehicle.

(4) The vehicle Inspection Officer shall after the inspection submit a written report to the appropriate authority as in Form MVA 27 OR schedule 4.

(5) Where death occurs, a duly certified medical officer shall examine the body so as to determine the actual cause of death.

(6) Any such officer to whom an accident has been reported before

commencing his investigation on arrival at the scene of the accident shall determine the seriousness of the accident and where

necessary ---

(a) If there is an injured person, ensure that the person receives immediate medical attention;

(b) Remove the dead, if any, and clear any obstruction from the highway

without prejudice to the material evidence; and

accident scene and ensure traffic is controlled adequately

106 (1) Subject as herein prescribed, no fees shall be charged ---

(a) for the registration, examination and weighing in respect of a motor vehicle or trailer owned by an exempted body.

(b) for a learner’s permit issued to a student at a driving school recognized for that purpose by the appropriate authority and for a drivers licence or learner’s permit issued by the appropriate authority issued to a servant employed to drive a motor vehicle belonging solely to an exempted body, so however that licence or permit issued----

(i) Pursuant to this paragraph shall not authorize the person named therein to drive any vehicle other than one belonging to the exempted body and shall be so endorsed by the Authority; and

(ii) shall be surrendered to the Authority by the exempted body when the person named therein is no longer employed to drive the vehicle; or

(c) for change of ownership of a vehicle when the new owner is an exempted body and an application for a licence or permit under this regulation shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by a person designated in that behalf by appropriate authority.

(2) In this regulation, the expression “exempted body” includes ---

(a) the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

(b) The government of any state of the Federation;

(d) Any person provided with diplomatic privileges and immunities under the exempted under the provisions of any other written law.

PART XIII – PROVISIONS RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS AND TRAFFIC OGGCER THAN MOTOR TRAFFIC .

107. The driver , rider or person having control of any vehicle or\n any highway shall ----

(a) make use of the hand signals prescribed for drivers of motor vehicles

specified in the Schedules 6 and 7 of these Regulation

(b) between sunset and sunrise, show a white light to the front

(c) except when overtaking traffic proceeding in the same direction, pass such traffic only on the left or far side thereof ;

(d) whenever necessary, give sufficient warning of approach by sound the bell, horn or to her appliance with which such vehicle is fitted; and

(e) comply with the signs illustrated in Schedule 9 of these Regulations and all traffic signs placed on or near any highway by order of the authority responsible for the maintenance of the highway for the guidance of drivers of vehicles for the maintenance of the highway for the guidance of drivers of vehicles

108 (1) No person shall on any highway ---

(a) ride a bicycle not fitted with two efficient brakes and an efficient bell, horn or other appliance for given audible warding of approach; or

(b) ride a bicycle of which at least 0.228 metres of the lowest part of the rear mudguard is not painted white on the outside; or

(d) fasten an animal to a vehicle so as to obstruct, endanger or annoy any

person lawfully using such highway; or

(e) leave any vehicle standing without having a proper person to hold the

animal which may be attached to same; or

(f) propel a go-cart, barrow, truck, hand-cart, or similar vehicle otherwise than by holding the pole or shaft; or

(g) ride or drive furiously any vehicle or drive at a speed or more than 12.875 kilometres an hour any vehicle varying a load which projects 0.914 metres or more beyond either end of such vehicles; or

(h) willfully or by negligence prevent, hinder or interrupt the free passage of any person or vehicle or animal; or

(i) draw up any vehicle so as to obstruct free passage along a street; or

(j) drive, ride, propel or park any vehicle or propel, ride or leave any animal or display trade wares on any footway or pavement provided for the use of pedestrians; or

(k) whilst riding a bicycle or motorcycle hold on to any motor vehicle or other vehicle while it is moving; or

(l) ride a bicycle in a negligent or dangerous manner; or

(m) cross such highway within 91. 44 metres of any type of pedestrian crossing; or

(n) loiter on any type of pedestrian crossing;

(o) be involved in any form of street trading ;

(p) no driver, person or group of persons hall cause any commercial vehicle to load or off-load any passenger(s) except at approved location;

(q) any person who wishes to designate his premises as motor-part shall apply to the appropriate authority which shall approve as it deems fit and issue a requisite certificate upon payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) In this part “Vehicle “ includes carriages, wagons, carts, bicycles, handcarts, sledges, trucks, barrows and all other machines for the carriage of goods or persons.

PART XIV- GENERAL

109 (1) These Regulations in so far as they relate to the licensing of a motor vehicle or trailer shall not apply to motor vehicles exclusively designed for use, or to plants used for the maintenance of roads or bridges, or to fire engines or trailer pumps.

(2) The provisions of regulations 55 (f), 56, 62, 84 ©, (e), (g), (i), (j) and (n), 85 and 90 shall not apply to a motor vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) during the time it may be engaged on the construction or maintenance of roads or bridges.

110. (1) The provisions of these Regulations shall not apply to a registered military vehicle.

(2) in these Regulation “Registered military vehicle” means any motor vehicle or trailer owned by the Federal Government and registered as a military vehicle under the provisions of the Road Traffic Registration of Military Vehicle Regulations, 1958.

111. (1) The Commission may cause the Highway Code and every revised edition thereof to be printed and copies thereof to be sold to the public at such price as may be determined from time to time.

(2) The Commission may, from time to time, revise the Highway Code by

revoking, varying, amending or adding to the provisions thereof.

(3) The Commission may in conjunction with any other appropriate authority post or display road signs and effect markings on the highways and pavements.

(4) In the case of a State, the Director Civil Engineering in conjunction with any other appropriate authority may post or display road signs and effect markings on roads and pavements.

(5) Failure on the part of any person to observe any provision of the Highway Code, shall not of itself render the person liable to criminal proceedings or any kind, but any such failure may, in any proceedings (civil or criminal), including proceedings for an offence under the At or these Regulations, be relied upon by the parties to establish or to void any liability.

(6) In this regulation “The Highway Code” means a code comprising directions for the guidance of people using roads as may be revised from time to time .

112. Any person who fails to comply with or acts in contravention of any condition attached to ay licence or permit commits an offence and is liable on conviction as proved in these Regulations.

113. Any person who commits ---

(a) a breach of or fails to comply with any of the provisions of these

Regulations ; or

(b) an offence against these Regulations is, where no special penalty is

provided in the Act or in these Regulations, is liable on conviction in respect of each offence to a fine of N1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months , or to both such fine and imprisonment.

114. (1)Any uniform and non-uniform special Marshall employed by the

Commission shall have power to issue a notice of offence to an offender who he reasonably believes has committed any offence specified in these Regulations, and the offender shall pay the prescribed penalty to an appointed bank and present the original teller to the Commission or be charge to court.

(2) The notice of offence shall be as set out in Schedule 11 of these

Regulations.

115. (1) All road transport operators who engage in inter-state road transport services shall establish a safety unit, appoint a safety officer as the head of the unit who shall ensure that operational standards are maintained as prescribed in those regulations.

(2) The Commission shall maintain a databank of all road transport operators having up to 5 vehicles in their fleets and shall issue appropriate forms for data collection, certification and registration of operators, safely officers and all necessary operational activities as may be required from time to time.

(3) Any transport operator or safety officer that fails to comply with this

regulation shall be liable to a fine of N50,000.00 or imprisonment for six months.

116. (1)Subject to the provisions of section 5 of the Act, the Commission may make such other Regulations which in its opinion, are necessary and expedient for the purposes of reducing the rate of road traffic accidents and for safety on the highways.

(2) The Commission in conjunction with any other appropriate authority may prescribe additional precautionary measures to reduce the rate of accidents by --

(a) Prescribing additional constructional and mechanical requirements for commercial vehicles;

(b) Prohibiting or restricting the driving of motor vehicles of any class or description on any specified highway or part of a highway and empowering any specified officer or other authority to impose such prohibitions or restrictions;

(c) With respect to the speed at which motor vehicle or any class or description may be driven either generally or on any specified highway or within any defined area or place;

(d) Prescribing precautions to be taken in the interests of the safety and convenience of the public traveling in motor vehicles or otherwise using highways, and providing for the periodical inspection of motor vehicles;

(e) Prescribing anything, which shall ensure the effective enforcement of these Regulations and all other matters pertaining to or likely to enhance safety on the highways.

117. (1) The Commission may, form time to time, amend the provisions of these Regulations by notice in the Gazette

(2) Where the provision of any other road traffic regulations existing n any

State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, is inconsistent with the provisions of these Regulations, the provisions of these Regulations shall to the extent of the inconsistency prevail and the provisions of that other Regulations shall be null and void.

118. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires ---

“Act” means the Federal Road Safety omission Act as amended;

“agricultural and track laying machines” means an industrial or track propelled vehicle which is used for the purpose of hauling produce, timber or mineral or agricultural land, timber forest or mine and registered as such under regulation 3 of these Regulations;

“appropriate authority” includes the Police, Commission, Licensing

Authorities, Vehicle Inspection Officer, Director, Federal Highways, Director of Engineering of the States, Local Government Supervisory Concilors of works, Security Agencies, etc.

“articulated vehicle” means a motor vehicle with a trailer drawn which is so

constructed and by partial super imposition attached to the motor vehicle that a substantial part of the weight of the trailer is borne by the motor vehicle;

“authority” includes motor licensing authority of the States and the Federal

Capital Territory, Abuja;

“Central motor registry” means the Motor Registry established by the States of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory, and includes the National Data Bank established by the Commission for the purpose of these Regulations;

“Commercial vehicle” includes motor-cycle for hire, a hackney carriage, state

carriage, a prime mover, recovery vehicle, draw-bar trailer or articulated vehicle and any motor vehicle primarily designed for the carriage of goods and fare-paying passengers;

“Commission” includes Federal Road Safety Commission, officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps;

“competent authority” includes appropriate authority and for the purposes of

Articles 3 and 6 of the International Convention of the Taxation of Foreign Motor Vehicles, the Principal Licensing Officer as defined in Regulation 115 (2);

“expressway” means ay part of the highways not being a single carriage way

declared by order to be an expressway by the Federal Ministry of Works or State Ministry of Works in the case of a State road;

“Far-side” means left side opposite the near side or off-side;

“highway” includes any roadway to which the public has access;

“mechanical workshop” includes any workshop which engages in the repairs

and maintenance of motor vehicles or moor cycles, auto-electrical, panel

beating/spray, wheel alignment and balancing workshops;

“motor vehicle mechanic” includes a person who engages in the repair s and

maintenance of motor vehicles, auto electrician, panel beater, etc.;

“motor vehicle dealer” means a person who engages in the sale and distribution of vehicles;

“motor cycle” includes a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than two or three wheels, where any part of the motive power is provided by an internal combination engine and includes a combination of motor cycle and side car;

“multipurpose vehicle” means a vehicle capable of carrying goods, persons and livestock;

“near side” or right side” means the side nearest to the shoulder of the road;

‘Overall length” means the overall length of a vehicle exclusive of the starting handle, if any;

“overall width” means the width measured between parallel planes passing

through the extreme projecting points of a vehicle exclusive of any driving mirror;

“omnibus” means a vehicle capable of careering a load of not less than 762

kilograms, constructed and designed for the sole purpose of carrying passengers and their hand luggage’s and registered as such under regulation 2 of these Regulations ;

“overhang” means the distance measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle between two vertical places at right angles to such axis the one passing through that point of the vehicle projecting furthermost to the rear and the other passing ---

(a) in the case of a motor vehicle having two axles, one of which is not a

steering wheel, through the center of the axle;

(b) in the case of a motor vehicle having three axles --

(i) where the front axle is the only steering axle, through a point 102

millimetres in the rear of the center of the axle; a straight line joining the center points of the rear and middle axles,

(ii) where the rear axle is the only steering axle, through the center point of the middle axles;

(c) in the case of a motor vehicle (whether having two or three axles) where all the axles are steering axles, and in the case of a motor vehicle having four or more axles, through a point situated on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and such that a line drawn from it at right angle to that axis will pass through the center of the

minimum turning circle of the vehicle.

“pedestrian crossing” means a section of the highway clearly defined by the

conspicuous marking and declared to be a pedestrian crossing by the appropriate authority;

“principal licensing officer” means an officer appointed as such in the States,

and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the Corps Marshall and Chief Executive’

“vehicle inspection officer” includes the Director, Road Traffic Services in the

States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and any officer appointed to assist him in the discharge of his functions;

“road marshal” includes the Chief Executive of the Commission, other officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps

“registration book” means the registration book issued under regulation 5 or

these Regulation;

“State” means any State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

“spare parts dealer” means person who engages in the sale and distribution of motor vehicle spare parts.

“taxi” means any motor vehicle designed or constructed to carry not more than seven person, used or intended to be used for carrying passengers for hire or reward under a contract expressed or implied for the use of the vehicle as a whole at or for a fixed or agreed rate of sum;

“tractor” means a vehicle which is constructed and used on a highway solely for haulage and not for the purpose of carrying or having super-imposed upon it, any load except such as may be necessary for the propulsion of equipment ;

“tractor” means a vehicle issued to a dealer who engages in sales or distribution of vehicles spare parts and also includes licences issued to mechanical workshops

“trailer” means a vehicle drawn by any motor vehicle but does not include a side-car attached to a motor cycle or plant and machinery used for the construction or maintenance of roads and brides.

“vehicles” in Part I and II of these Regulations include all categories detailed in regulation 3 of these Regulations;

“width” in relation to a tyre means the maximum thickness of the tyre from one side of the tryre to the other, measured parallel to the axle as specified on the tyre by the manufacturer ;

119. The National Road Traffic Regulation, 1997 is hereby repealed.

120. These Regulations may be cited as the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004.

Made at Abujathis 12th Day of January 2004

Major General (Dr) H.A.Hannaniya (Rtd), mni

Corps Marshal and Chief Executive

Federal Road Safety Commission

APPLICANT’S PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH

SCHEDULES Regulation 2 (5), (6) and (9)

SCHEDULE 1

FORM MVA 1

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

NATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

APPLICATION FORM

(Form should be filled in capital letters)

(i) REGISTRATION CENTER………………………………………………………

NAME OF STATE/ESTABLISHMENT ………………………………………..

LICENSING AREA/MINISTRY DEPARTMENT……………………………..

(ii) VEHICLE

DETAILS………………………………………………………………

MAKE……………………………………………………………………………...

TYPE……………………………MODEL ……………………………………….

SALOON/PICK-UP WAGON/BUS/TANKER/TRICYCLE/ MOTOR CYCLE/ ETC (SPECIFY PLS)

COLOUR…………………………………………………………………………..

CHASSIS NO………………………ENGINE NO……………………………...

ENGINE

CAPACITY……………………………………………………………..

STATE PURPOSE………………………………………………(PRIVATE/COMMERCIAL/GOVERNMENT/(PARA) MILITARY)

CONDITION OF VEHICLE.

DATE OF LAST VEHICLE INSPECTION …………………………………….

ROAD WOTHINESS CERTIFICATE NO………………………………………

TESTING AUTHORITY………………………………………………………….

PREVIOUS REGISTRATION (IF ANY)………………………………………...

NAME OF LICENSING

AUTHORITY…………………………………………

(iii) OWNER’S

INFORMATION……………………………………………………..

NAME……………………………………………………………………………..

STATE

STATUS………………………………………………………………….

AGENCY/MINISTRY/COMPANY/NAVY/POLICE/SOCIETY/PRIVATE/ETC

ADDRESS…………………………………………………………………………

TOWN………………………TEL (if any)………………………………………

(iv) SPECIAL VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

I HEREBY CONFIRM THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS TRUE. I AM AWARE THAT I CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISREPRESENTATION

NAME OF APPLICANT…………………………………………………………

ADDRESS OF APPLICANT……………………………………………………..

DATE OF APPLICATION ……………………………………………………..

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (as applicable)

A. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ALLOCATED …………………….

B. NUMBER PLATE FEES

C. RECEIPT NUMBER

AUTHORISING OFFICER ……………………… CODE

NO ………….……..

SIGNATURE ……………………..

DATE ………………………………………

APPLICANT’S PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH

SCHEDULES 1

FORM MVA 2

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

NATIONAL UNIFORM LICENSING SCHEME

APPLICATION FOR OUT OF SERIES AND FANCY NUMBER PLATES

NAME OF OWNER……………………………………………………………………..

ADDRESS…………………………………………………………………………………………

TEL ………………………… MOBILE………………….

FAX…………..……………...

EMAIL…………………………………………………………………………………….

ENGINE NUMBER……………………………………………………………………….

CHASIS NUMBER ……………………………

COLOUR……………………………...

VEHICLES MAKE…………………..

TYPE (SALOON, JEEP, etc)…………………

PREVIOUS VEHICLE NUMBER (IF ANY)…………………………………………….

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION MARK PROPOSED …………………………………..

DECLARATION

I declare that the information provided in this application is true and binding on that

MVA Form 01 and has been completed in respect of this request.

………………………………. …………………………………

Name of Applicant Signature & Date

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

TO: Deputy Director (NULS)

This request is recommended for production please.

FEE PAID N ……………………………………… AMOUNT IN WORDS …………………………………………………………….

RECEIPT NUMBER…………………..……………………………………

Name of State Licensing Officer ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Signature /Stamp & Date……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

DEPUTY DIRECTOR (NULS)’ REMARKS (APPROVED /NOT APPROVED)……

REASONS …………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………. ………………………………………

…….

Name of Deputy Director (ULS) Signature / Stamp & Date

APPLICANT’S PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH

SCHEDULE 1

FORM MVA 3

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

MOTOR VEHICLE CHANGE OF CATEGORY/RE-REGISTRATION

APPLICATION FORM

(form should be filled in capital letters )

LICENSING

OFFICE……………………………………………………………………

APPLICATION

NAME…………………………………………………………………

(Surname ) (Other name)

ADDRESS………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

….

(Licensing Office Must be Informed of Change In Address)

VEHICLE INFORMATION

REGISTRATION

NO……………………………………………………………………

ENGINE NO…………………………………………………………………………….

CHASSIS NO…………………………………………………………………………..

VEHICLE

MAKE…………………………………………………………………………

PROOF OF OWNERSHIP NO………………………………………………………

REASON(S) FOR REREGISTRATION………………………………………………...

REGISTRATION CATEGORY

Private to Commercial

Commercial to private

Private to private

Fancy to standards

Tick the appropriate column

Sing ………………………………………………..

Date………………………………

Applicant’s signature…………………….. Date ……………………………..

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR ALL VEHICLE

CERTIFICATE OF ROAD WORTHINESS N………DATE OF ISSUE……………

WEIGHT OF LOAD AUTHORISED ………………………………………………

GROSS WEIGHT………………………………………………………………………

…………………………… ………………………………

…..

Name of Licensing Officer Signature

INSTRUCTION

1. This book is a permanent record of Motor Vehicle and must be carried on the vehicle

2. This book will be issued when an application on the prescribed forms is

submitted for initial registration and licensing.

3. Vehicle Licences will be issued for a period of 12 months with effect from the 1st day of the month of issue or the moth following the expiry date of a current licence.

4. A motor vehicle should be re-licensed before the expiry date. Licensees may be renewed by any other Motor Licensing Authority in Nigeria, to whom this book must be produced with a current certificate of insurance. The payment of the fees will be recorded by the Motor Licensing Authority in this book.

5. A vehicle will be registered on one of the following categories :

(i) Motor cycle, private or commercial

(ii) Motor cycle with three wheels or side car

(iii) Private motor vehicle

(iv) Trailer

(v) Taxi ( not more than 7 persons including the driver)

(vi) Private hire car driven by the hirer or the owner’s driver, commercial vehicle (goods only but including person who are servants of the owner whist employed on the vehicle);

(vii) Commercial vehicle (goods only but including persons who are servant of the owner whist employed on the vehicle)

(viii) State carriage for not less than eight and more than fifteen person including the driver

(ix) Stage carriage for over fifteen persons including driver

(x) Omnibus

(xi) Private omnibus used for the free conveyance of employees

(xii) Agricultural Machine

(xiii) Tractor

(xiv) Vehicle exclusively designed for use, or plant or machinery used for the construction or maintenance of roads or bridges

(xv) Fire engine or trailer pump.

6. A combined licence will be issued when a vehicle is registered as a commercial and taxi/carriage for 8-15 persons /stage carriage for over 15 persons / omnibus.

7. When the vehicle owner wishes to change a registered category, an application should be submitted, on the prescribed form with the prescribed fees for the new category, together with the existing licence and this book, to any Licensing Authority in Nigeria who will then record the change and forward the prescribed form to the Registration Authority with whom the vehicle was originally registered.

8. A refund will be made for any unexpired complete months of existing licence on application, and on surrender of the un-expired licence to the Motor Licensing Authority, which issued the un-expired licence.

9. The certificate of road worthiness for all vehicles is to be carried in this book

10. Subject to the warning on the inside front cover of this Book, whenever there is a change of ownership THIS BOOK MUST BE TRANSFERRED TO THE OWNER of the vehicle who must submit the book to any Registration Authority together with;

(a) An application on the prescribed form;

(b) A letter from the previous owner authorizing the change;

(d) The prescribe fee

The Motor Licensing Authority to whom this book is submitted will record the details of the new owner in the appropriate part of this book

11. When ever there is any change in the construction of a vehicle exceeding 10 tones gross weight or any construction which affects the particular s on page 3 and 4 of this book or the class (e.g. private to hackney, goods, to private etc) or it not already so licensed, the desire to draw a trailer, an- application on the prescribed form must be submitted with this book to any Licensing Authority in Nigeria who will record the details of such a change or changes in this book issue the vehicle with a new permit where applicable. If the alteration are increase the amount of licence fee payable the amount of additional fee must be paid at the time of application

12. Conditions for the issue of permit for vehicles exceeding 10 tones gross weight to ply restricted

(i) A void vehicle licence must be held for the vehicle;

(ii) A list of restricted truck roads A & B for the time being in force as supplied by Licensing Authority must be stricltly adhered to;

(iii) This permit will be cancelled if the construction of vehicle exceeding 10 tonnes gross weight is altered

(iv) This permit will be subject to such special restrictions as may be issued on the use of roads in the wet seasons.

13. The various forms mentioned in this book may be obtained from the Motor Licensing Authority to whom an application for a particular transaction is to be forwarded.

14. The loss of this book should be reported immediately by submitting an

application for replacements on the prescribed form to any Motor Licensing Authority.

15. When the vehicle is permanently taken off the road, this book must be

surrendered to any Motor Licensing Authority in Nigeria for transmission to the Registration Authority.

WARNING

1. Any person making unauthorized entries or alterations or willfully destroying or defacing any entry in this book, will be liable to a fine of up to twice the annual licence fee applicable for the vehicle or imprisonment for six months or both.

2. The instructions in the book are issued for the guidance of all concerned.

Failure to comply is an offence under the National Road Traffic Regulations 204

3. The person in whose name a vehicle is registered may or may not be the legal owner of the vehicle. Prospective purchasers are warned, therefore, that this registration Book is not proof of legal ownership.

Address of Registration Authority with

Whom this vehicle is registered

……………………………………..

…………………………………….

Official Stamp

Date of Registration……………………………………………………………………..

PARTICULARS OF VEHICLE ORIGINAL

Identification Mark

Registered Category

Make

Type of body

Model

Engine No.

Chassis No.

Year of Manufacture

New Weight

Cubic Capacity

Commercial Vehicles only

Weight authorized to

PARTICULARS OF TRAILER

Type of Body

No of Wheels

Net Weight

No. of previous vehicle Registration Book

Give Duty Certificate

Number

Duty paid /Exemption

M.L.A. Office Stamp and Initials

Name and address of importer

Registration Authority

And date stamped

Date ………………………….. 20…………….

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS FOR VEHICLE EXCEEDING 10 TONES

Model

Number of Axles

Number of Wheels

Distance between center of front and rear axles

Distance between centers of tandem axle (if applicable

Distance between front and middle axle (if any)

Distance between center kingpin and rear axle or prime

Mover (semi-trailer)

Length of Load carrying body

Load carrying body overhang in front of kingpin

Overhang Front Rear

Weight on front axle Net Gross

Weight on middle axle (if any)

Weight on rear axle(s)

Initial of M.L.A. Office Stamp

NAME AND ADDRESS OF REGISTERED OWNER

Surname ………………………………………………………………………………

………

(in block letters)

Other Names ……………………………………………………………………...

Address ……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………

1st CHANGE

Surname ………………………………………………………………………………

………

(in block letters)

Other Names ……………………………………………………………………...

Address ……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………

2nd CHANGE

Surname ………………………………………………………………………………

………

(in block letters)

Other Names ……………………………………………………………………...

Address ……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………

3rd CHANGE

Surname ………………………………………………………………………………

………

(in block letters)

Other Names ……………………………………………………………………...

Address ……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………

4th CHANGE

Surname ………………………………………………………………………………

………

(in block letters)

Other Names ……………………………………………………………………...

Address ……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………

5th CHANGE

Surname ………………………………………………………………………………

………

(in block letters)

Other Names ……………………………………………………………………...

Address ……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………

For Official Use only

RECORD OF LICENCES ISSUED

S/N

Serial Number of Licence issued

Month and Year of Expiry

Amount paid Date, Stamp and Initials of issuing Officer

For Official Use only

RECORD OF LICENCES ISSUED

S/N

Serial Number of Licence issued

Month and Year of Expiry

Amount paid Date, Stamp and Initials of issuing Officer

CHANGES IN PARTICULARS OF VEHICLE

Details Initials of M.L.A Office Stamp

REMARKS