Lagos Arrests 175 Vehicles Over Illegal Use Of Dealer Number Plates

The Lagos State Government has intensified enforcement against the illegal use of dealer number plates, warning motorists and vehicle dealers that the plates must not be used for permanent or everyday driving.

The Lagos State Government, in a statement posted on X, said dealer number plates are issued only for specific and limited purposes permitted under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

“Dealer number plates are issued strictly for specific, time-limited activities – namely, authorised test drives, vehicle inspections, the delivery or collection of vehicles, and the movement of unregistered vehicles directly from ports or authorised dealer premises to designated locations,” the government said.

It warned that the plates must not be used for private daily commuting, continuous operation on public roads or on vehicles that have already been sold and are only awaiting permanent registration.

As part of the enforcement drive, the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) has apprehended 175 vehicles found to have violated the regulations governing the use of dealer plates.

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The government said the dealer plates recovered from the affected vehicles would be confiscated, while the vehicles would undergo further investigation.

It also warned that vehicles found operating with unauthorised, fake, obscured or improperly used registration numbers would face enforcement measures, including impoundment and prosecution under relevant traffic laws.

The state urged vehicle dealers and motorists to comply with the regulations, stressing that proper use of registration numbers was necessary to promote accountability, accurate vehicle identification and road safety across Lagos.

The government reiterated that the restrictions were aimed at ensuring that dealer plates are used only for their legally prescribed purposes and are not deployed as substitutes for permanent vehicle registration.