Lagos State Traffic Law

Lagos Traffic Law is designed to protect law abiding road users. It is also designed to ensure that those who disobey any of its stipulations are made to face the consequences of their action so that they can be reformed and join the law abiding group. Traffic offences are called strict liability offences: you do the offence, you pay the consequence. In order not to be caught unawares, we have highlighted the Lagos state traffic offences and their consequences below:

S/N Offences Point Fine Additional penalties
1 Violation of routes by commercial vehicles 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
2 Non-display of route and routes number on vehicle 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
3 Disobeying traffic control personnel 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Impounded vehicle
4 Parking on yellow line on any public highway /illegal parking (including trailers) 4 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
5 Vehicle crossing double line/centre line 4 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
6 Staying within the yellow junction box (offside rule) 3 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
7 Failure to give way to right of way of pedestrians at a Zebra crossing 3 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
8 Failure to give way to traffic on the left at a roundabout 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
9 Smoking while driving 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
10 Riding motor-cycle without crash helmet for rider. 1 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Imprisonment for a term of six months or both fine and imprisonment
11 Riding a motor-cycle without rider’s permit 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Impounded motor cycle
12 Riding motor-cycle:

i.        Against traffic

ii.        On the kerb, median or road set backs

3 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Impounded motor-cycle
13 Conveying more than one passenger at any given time (motor-cycle) 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Imprisonment for a term of six months or both fine and imprisonment
14 Installation of musical gadget on a motor-cycle 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Impound the set
15 Motorcyclist resisting arrest   1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
16 Operating motor-cycle without side mirrors, trafficators, break light or rear light 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
17 Motor-cycle operator carrying

i.   Pregnant woman

ii.   Adult with baby

iii.   Child below the age of twelve years

  1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Imprisonment for a term of three years or both fine and imprisonment
18 Under aged person (under 18years old) riding a motor-cycle 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Dislodged rider
19 Motorcycle operating using horn designed for motor vehicles 1 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Remove horn
20 Operating a motor-cycle in a restricted area or on prohibited route 3 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Impounded motor-cycle
21 Exceeding prescribed speed limit 2 N100, 000 Imprisonment for a term of one year or both fine and imprisonment
22 Tailgating an emergency vehicle 3 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
23 Failure of slow moving vehicle to keep to the right lane 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
24 Assault on traffic officer (physical) 3   Imprisonment for a term of three years or both fine and imprisonment
25 Driving in a direction prohibited by the road traffic law/ Neglect of traffic directions 4 Forfeiture of vehicle to the state 1st offender-one year, imprisonment and forfeiture of the vehicle to the state

2nd and subsequent offender- three years imprisonment and forfeiture of the vehicle to the state and shall their data and biometric captured

26 Illegal U-turn 3 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Driver Training
27 Wrong overtaking of other vehicle 2 N100, 000  
28 Overloading of a commercial vehicle on the highway 4 N50, 000 Dislodge excess
29 Driving on the walkway or kerbs 4 N50, 000  
30 Parking on the walkway or kerbs 3 N20,000  
31 Parking or stopping to pick passengers by a commercial vehicle on the highway 3 N20, 000 Driver Training
32 Bullion van driving in a direction prohibited by the road traffic law 5 Forfeiture of vehicle Imprisonment for a term of three years, or both fine and imprisonment
33 Abandoned vehicle on highway 2 N50.000, cost of towing Imprisonment for a term of six months, or both fine and imprisonment
34 Causing obstruction on highway if broken down 2 N50,000, cost of towing  
35 Commuter o conductor hanging on tailboard of moving vehicle 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Dislodge and sanction driver
36 Driving vehicles with doors left open 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
37 Making or receiving phone calls when driving without hands free 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
38 Counting money or otherwise engaged in other activities when driving 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
39 Driving without a strapped seat belt for both driver and passengers 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Strap on seat belt
40 Failure to display reflective warming sign at point of break down 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
41 Motorist resisting arrest 2 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

 
42 Use of BRT Lite corridor 3 1st offender- N20, 000

Subsequent Offender- N30,000

Imprisonment for a term of three years, or both fine and imprisonment
43 Willful Obstruction on highway 2 N50, 000; cost of towing Imprisonment for a term of one year, or both fine and imprisonment
44 Storage charge for impounded cars, jeep and mini-buses per day   N10, 000  
45 Storage charge for all other impounded vehicles and 3 wheelers per day   N500  
46 Storage charge for all other impounded vehicles (6 wheelers and above per day)   N2, 000  
47 Towing an impounded car, jeep and mini buses   N10, 000  
48 Towing other commercial vehicle excluding trailers   N10,000  
49 Towing a trailer or tanker (empty)   N50, 000  
50 Towing a trailer or tanker (loaded)   N100, 000  
51 Towing tippers and lorries (loaded)   N50, 000  
52 Towing luxurious buses   N50, 000  
53 Towing an overnight breakdown (trailer)   N100, 000  
54 Towing tricycles   N2, 000  
55 Towing motorcycles   N500  
56 Hire of heavy duty recovery equipment (Towing/ Recovery fees)     At hirer’s cost
57 Failure to pay penalty within the prescribed time     Double the initial penalty