The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on the misuse of dealer number plates, with 175 vehicles already impounded by the Vehicle Inspection Service for allegedly violating regulations governing the plates.
The state government, while warning motorists and automobile dealers against using dealer number plates as substitutes for regular vehicle registration, said the enforcement was aimed at improving vehicle identification, accountability and safety across Lagos roads.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Bolanle Ogunlola, and published on the ministry’s official X handle.
The government explained that the use of dealer number plates was not unrestricted, stressing that their application was specifically regulated under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
According to the ministry, the plates are intended for limited and clearly defined purposes, including authorised test drives, vehicle inspections, delivery or collection of vehicles and the movement of newly imported, unregistered vehicles from ports or approved dealer premises to designated locations.
It, however, stressed that the plates were not designed for motorists or dealers to use as permanent registration numbers.
The government warned against using dealer plates for everyday private transportation, continuous operation on public roads or for vehicles that had already been sold but had yet to obtain their permanent registration.
The state said such practices undermined the purpose of the dealer plate system and could make it difficult for relevant authorities to properly identify and track vehicles operating on the roads.
As part of the enforcement campaign, the Vehicle Inspection Service apprehended 175 vehicles allegedly found to have breached the regulations guiding the use of dealer number plates.
The government said the dealer plates recovered from the affected vehicles would be confiscated, while the impounded vehicles would undergo further investigation to determine the nature and extent of the violations.
It also warned motorists and vehicle dealers against using fake, unauthorised, obscured or improperly displayed registration numbers, saying offenders would face sanctions under applicable traffic laws.
According to the government, enforcement measures could include vehicle impoundment and prosecution, depending on the circumstances of each violation.
The ministry urged automobile dealers to ensure that vehicles sold to customers are processed for appropriate permanent registration rather than allowing buyers to continue using dealer plates for routine journeys.
It similarly advised motorists to obtain the correct registration numbers once their vehicles become subject to permanent registration, instead of relying on dealer plates beyond the limited circumstances for which they are legally issued.
The government maintained that the enforcement was not targeted at legitimate automobile dealers but was necessary to prevent the growing misuse of dealer plates and ensure that vehicles operating on Lagos roads could be properly identified.
It added that the state would sustain enforcement of transport regulations as part of broader efforts to improve compliance, strengthen accountability and promote safer road use across Lagos.
