Lagos goes tough on vehicle inspection, roadworthiness

The Lagos State government has made vehicle inspection a mandatory condition for issuance of roadworthiness certificates, beginning from January 1, 2022.

The government said motorists should present vehicles for physical inspection at any of the designated computerised vehicle inspection centres statewide before they are issued a roadworthiness certificate.

Announcing this at a stakeholder meeting in Lagos recently, Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said the enforcement of the extant law was to further strengthen the safety of roads and those who use them.

Oladeinde explained that the new drive would void the former practice where any motorist could procure a roadworthiness certificate without a vehicle inspection.

He said: “No one will be able to obtain roadworthiness certificate anywhere in the state without the Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS) certifying such vehicles roadworthy.

“If the vehicle passed the minimum safety standard of the computerised test, such vehicles would be issued the certificate and anyone whose vehicle fails the tests will be given one month grace period within which to fix the problems on such vehicles after which such would be returned for certification test upon which a roadworthiness certificate would thereafter be issued,” he said.

He added that any motorist that fails to have his vehicle repaired within the grace period would have to process another roadworthiness certificate to enjoy the 30 days grace.

Earlier, the Director of Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service, Akin-George Fashola, said the new policy was to reduce the presence of VIS officers on the road and to ensure that motorists voluntarily comply with all regulations aimed at ensuring that the roads are safe for all road users.

He, therefore, urged all transport union leaders to help the government by ensuring that all their members know about the policy.

Already, 26 centres have been established and plans are in place to ensure that all the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) have computerised centres.

He explained that the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) machines installed on the CCTV camera across the state have been calibrated to recognise the 30 days grace period, and would not enter any infringement against anyone, who had presented his vehicle for such checks within the grace period.

He said all classes of vehicles, including trucks, articulated vehicles, commercial buses, corporate fleet operators and private cars would be adequately covered once this policy rolls out next year.

He explained that the VIS would not go after anyone but patiently wait for violators of the law to be apprehended and be made to face the music.

Managing Director, Lagos Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (LACVIS), Segun Obayendo, said that the computerised centres are installed with state-of-the-art equipment to help detect all problems on any vehicle and this is to ensure that vehicles plying the state roads are roadworthy and not accident-prone.

The Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the command would ensure the success of the policy.

He urged transport unions and other stakeholders to voluntarily comply to ensure that the roads are made safe for all users.