Lagos State Government Mandates Vehicle Inspections For E-Hailing Drivers.
The Lagos State Government has issued a directive requiring all licensed e-hailing operators, including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, and InDrive, to ensure their drivers submit their vehicles for a comprehensive roadworthiness audit. The announcement, made by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, follows a stakeholder meeting held at the Ministry of Transportation in Alausa, Ikeja, on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The initiative aims to enhance safety standards, improve service quality, and ensure regulatory compliance across the e-hailing sector. Mr. Osiyemi expressed concern over the “deplorable condition” of some vehicles currently operating under licensed platforms, stating that any vehicle deemed unfit will be prohibited from operating on Lagos roads. He also highlighted issues such as inadequate data management systems among some operators, which hinder the tracking of discrepancies and criminal activities.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olawale Musa, reinforced the directive, noting that unregistered vehicles pose significant security risks and will no longer be tolerated. He stressed that all drivers must be certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) and urged operators to maintain up-to-date records in the ministry’s digital system. Mr. Musa also advised the public to avoid booking rides offline to ensure the use of in-app safety features and accountability mechanisms.
During the stakeholder meeting, representatives from Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv outlined recent safety enhancements, including stricter driver verification, mandatory licence checks, in-app panic buttons, and improved onboarding processes. The government, however, emphasised that operators must finalise all outstanding licensing documentation, warning that non-compliance could lead to sanctions, including licence suspensions.
The directive comes amid growing concerns about the declining condition of some e-hailing vehicles, with many reported to have issues such as worn interiors, faulty air-conditioning, and high mileage. Economic pressures, including naira devaluation and rising fuel costs, have made it challenging for drivers to maintain or upgrade their vehicles. Analysts have called for structured vehicle financing schemes and stronger enforcement of quality standards to address these challenges.
The Lagos State Government’s move reflects its commitment to safeguarding residents and restoring public trust in the e-hailing sector. Residents are encouraged to report unregistered operators to the Ministry of Transportation in Alausa, Ikeja, or via the hotline 08034545123.
