How to change Vehicle ownership in Nigeria

If you are planning on purchasing a used car in Nigeria, you should know that it is illegal to not change the ownership of the vehicle to your own name. Doing so is required by law in the country. When buying a used car from an original owner, it is also important to note that the buyer’s name should be changed.

In Nigeria, it is obligatory for new car buyers to get the approval of the country’s inspector of vehicle offices before they can purchase a vehicle. Doing so will allow them to claim their property in the event of a conflict or theft.

According to the stipulation of the Federal Road Safety Commission, in order to perform a legal change of car ownership, you will deal with these four offices below:

1. Vehicle Inspection Office
2. Vehicle Licensing Office
3. Vehicle Registration Office
4. Raters and Taxes Office

 Providing Vehicle Documents

The documents below are required for the new owner or buyer to start the process of changing their vehicle ownership. These documents must be presented to the licensing officer at the time of registration.

1. The plate number allocation form is known as the blue form (original)
2. Proof of ownership (original)
3. Valid means of identification (Voter’s card, National id, Drivers license or International passport)
4. Passport photographs of the new owner
5. Letter of transfer
6. Receipt of purchase from the original owner
7. Third-party insurance for the car
8. Valid vehicle license
9. Police report and/or vehicle inspection form

Vehicle inspection office nearest to you

Before you buy any car, you need to get an inspection report from one of the vehicle inspection offices in your area. This step will involve going to the original owner of the car you want to buy.

The officer will then carry out a series of inspections to determine the vehicle’s roadworthiness and if it can be transferred to another owner. After that, the VIOs will issue a report that details the condition of the car.

Form MVA 5 For former owner

This form is used to notify the vehicle registration office of a change in ownership. It must be filled out by the seller or the former owner.

Transfer forms For both the Former owner and the current owner

The former owner and buyer will need to fill out the transfer forms at the raters and taxes office.

Finish the process & pay all the fees

All forms of documentation needed to change car ownership must be presented to the tax office and raters in person. After presenting these documents, the application for the transfer of ownership will be processed. The processing fee for both motor vehicles and motorcycles is usually N2,500.

After the vehicle licensing office has issued a new license, the former owner must notify the new owner of the change of ownership. He or she must also provide the new owner with the necessary documents, such as the registration book. According to the rules, the notice of change must be made within 30 days following the date of the license’s issuance.

If the vehicle was imported into the country after it had been exempted from import duties, then the new owner must present the necessary documents to the registration office. These include an exemption certificate from the customs service and a certificate of import duties payable. Once all of these are satisfied, the new owner’s details will be added to the vehicle registration database.

The process of transferring ownership of a car can take up to five working days. In order for it to be successfully changed, the previous owner must have kept the vehicle registered for at least six months.