Every car owner is required to have specific documents. These documents are essential for ensuring that a vehicle has been properly registered, belongs to the owner, and is not a stolen vehicle.
Every car should, ideally, go through the proper registration process in order to obtain certain documents that certify ownership of a car.
Nobody has to wait to be stopped or questioned by government officials to obtain these documents.
Here are some of the necessary documents that the Federal Road Safety Commission; FRSC, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, Traffic Management Authority, and Vehicle Inspection Officers; VIO and even the Police look out for. When you own a car, ensure you always have these documents in your car.
1. Customs Document: The first document that should be in your possession when you own a car is the custom document fully stamped. Ensure everything in the document corresponds to the name and model of the car, VIN, and make sure all payments were made. Make sure it is a clear document and not a faded document. Especially if you have a foreign used car, make sure you have a customs document.
2. Driver’s License: This document is the most obvious personal document you should have when you own a car. Most times when you are stopped by officials, it is the first document you are asked for. It is your first legal document and ensures that it is not expired. If it is, do the needful.
3. Proof of Ownership/Change of Ownership: You will get this amongst other car registration documents given to you at the Vehicle Inspection Office. Be sure to have this document in your possession when you own a car. It proves that you did not steal the car and if you bought a Nigerian used car, you need a copy of the change of ownership form.
4. Certificate of Car Insurance: Your insurance certificate is also important. If you are caught without this certificate, trust that you will face the consequences.
5. Certificate of Road Worthiness: You need a certificate of road worthiness to avoid being harassed by VIO and other road officials. It is the document that says your car is fit and ready to play the road for a while. It is renewed annually so make sure it is not expired and if it is, update it.
6. Vehicle License/Registration: You need the Vehicle license as it is proof of the legality status of your car in Nigeria. You will need to renew this document annually as well, so make sure it is up-to-date to avoid being embarrassed.
7. Tint Permit: Depending on the type of car you own, you may need a tint permit. If your car has a black screen you will need this document as a car owner in Nigeria.
8. Hackney Permit: This document is for commercial vehicles and should be given to you at the point of registering your vehicle.
9.Commercial Vehicle License: This license is issued to commercial vehicles to indicate that they are allowed to move freely and transact with passengers and customers around the country. This does not require any rigorous process.
10. Learner’s Permit: All learners (anyone learning to drive) must be in the company of their driving instructors while driving. What this certificate primarily does is to prevent you from getting into an embarrassing situation with road safety officials.