Beginning January 1, 2022, the Lagos State government has made vehicle inspection a requirement for the granting of roadworthiness certificates.
Motorists should bring their vehicles to any of the state’s certified computerized vehicle inspection centers for a physical check before receiving a roadworthiness certificate, according to the government.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said this during a stakeholder meeting in Lagos recently, saying that the existing law would be enforced to better increase road safety and the safety of those who use them.
The new policy, according to Oladeinde, will put an end to the previous practice of any motorist being able to obtain a roadworthiness certificate without having their car inspected.
“No one will be able to obtain a roadworthy certificate anywhere in the state until the Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS) certifies such vehicles as roadworthy,” he stated.
“If the vehicle passed the minimum safety standard of the computerized test, such vehicles would be issued the certificate,” he said. “Any vehicle that fails the tests will be given a one-month grace period to fix the problems on such vehicles before being returned for certification testing and a roadworthiness certificate,” he added.
He went on to say that any motorist who does not get his car fixed during the grace period would have to apply for a new roadworthiness certificate in order to keep the grace period of 30 days.
Earlier, Akin-George Fashola, the Director of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service, said the new policy was designed to limit the presence of VIS officers on the road and ensure that motorists voluntarily comply with all requirements aimed at keeping the roads safe for all road users.
As a result, he urged all transportation union officials to assist the government by making sure that all of their members are aware of the policy.
26 centers have already been established.
He explained that the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) machines installed on CCTV cameras throughout the state have been calibrated to recognize the 30-day grace period, and that no infringement would be recorded against anyone who presented his vehicle for such checks within that time frame.
He stated that once the policy is implemented next year, all types of vehicles, including trucks, articulated vehicles, commercial buses, corporate fleet operators, and individual cars, will be appropriately covered.
He explained that the VIS would not pursue anyone but would instead wait for lawbreakers to be captured and made to face the consequences.
Segun Obayendo, the Managing Director of the Lagos Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (LACVIS), said that the computerised centres are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to help detect all abnormalities on any vehicle, ensuring that vehicles traversing the roads are safe.
State highways are safe to drive on and are not prone to accidents.
Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said the command would assure the policy’s success.
He asked transportation unions and other stakeholders to voluntarily comply in order to make the roads safer for everyone.
