To address the country’s developing complexity of vehicular crime, the Nigeria Police Force implemented the digitalized Central Motor Registry Information System (e-CMR) in April 2023 for seamless management of all motor vehicles and their ownership.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to apply for CMR motor vehicle information certificates using the e-CMR Portal in Nigeria. We’ll cover what eCMR is and why it matters and provide a step-by-step guide to register and apply for CMR motor vehicle information certificates via the e-CMR Portal in Nigeria.
Overview of the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR)
The eCMR refers to the electronic Central Motor Registry. It’s Nigeria’s digital database for vehicle registration and licensing. The eCMR platform allows vehicle owners to register their vehicles, renew their vehicle licenses, and carry out other transactions electronically without having to visit a vehicle licensing office.
For more than 60 years since the Nigeria Police Force established the Central Motor Registry, mandatory vehicle registration has been done manually, which has presented certain issues. With the implementation of the e-CMR, motor vehicle owners can now supply information about their vehicles, ownership, and other relevant details to enhance digital era policing remotely via an internet-enabled device.
Many Nigerian car owners do not know how to apply for CMR Motor Vehicle Information Certificates using the e-CMR portal. We will walk you through this process step-by-step.
Who Needs to Register for Central Motor Registry (CMR) in Nigeria
According to the NPF website, every vehicle owner is required to register their vehicle and obtain a motor vehicle information certificate. The NBA-SPIDEL reported that the police have begun enforcing the CMRIS certificate, requiring defaulters to pay thousands of naira as penalty fees.
In summary, if you own a car in Nigeria, you are required to register with the CMR. Failing to properly register your vehicles can result in heavy penalties, as the CMR works to ensure all vehicles in the country meet safety and emissions standards. Registering your vehicles provides benefits like access to license plates, vehicle registration certificates, and the legal right to use your vehicles.
Steps to Apply for the CMR Motor Vehicle Information Certificate Using the e-CMR Portal
To register for CMR, you’ll need to provide some personal information and documents. First, head to the eCMR portal website and create an account.
Individuals and corporate bodies should adhere to the following 12 procedures when applying for the CMR Motor Vehicle Information Certificate.
Step 1:
- Visit the official website at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng
Step 2:
- Click on Get Started
Step 3:
Create Profile (if Profile has been created earlier, go to step 8)
- (a) Profile type – Personal or Organization
- (b) Identification – NIN for Personal, TIN for Organisation
- (c) Enter your identification number
- (d) Click Verify
Step 4:
- If identity is verified, click Continue
Step 5:
Confirm your Email and phone number
- If Email is no longer valid, select No and enter a valid email
- If the Phone Number is not current, select No and enter a current phone number
- Click Confirm to receive a token through the current phone number and valid email address
Step 6:
- Enter the token and click Confirm Token; when confirmed, click Continue to proceed
Step 7:
Personal Information Page (Review uploaded NIN/TIN information)
- Select your Current State of Residence and Current LGA of Residence
- Confirm if your NIN/TIN address is the same as your current address. If No, enter your Current Residential Address
- If you selected a wrong response, click on Change Selection to select the right response
- Create and confirm your password
- Click Next to proceed
Step 8:
Apply for the CMR Motor Vehicle Information Certificate
- Log in using the following access credentials created during the Profile creation process: Username (Email or Phone Number) and Password (created in the fourth bullet point of Step 7)
- Click Login
Step 9:
Choose CMR Request
- (a) CMR Request – Select a Request
- (b) CMR Sub-Request – Select Sub-Request
- (c) Select Number of Requests: (i) Single – for one motor vehicle (ii) Fleet – for more than one motor vehicle in application
Step 10:
Vehicle Details
- Select Vehicle Category and Plate Number Type
- Enter Vehicle Details – (i) State Licensing Officer (where the vehicle was registered/licensed) (ii) State Requesting Form (where the applicant is requesting CMR service)
Step 11:
Request Confirmation (carefully review information for accuracy and genuineness in this stage)
- Click Proceed to view the invoice and make payment
Step 12:
User Profile Features
- (a) Requests – View Request(s), Sold Vehicles, Print Certificate, etc.
- (b) Profile – Update/Edit Password, Email, Phone
- (c) Logout – Exit Portal
Following these steps carefully will ensure you are able to successfully register for and obtain your eCMR certificate.
Advantages and Benefits of Enrolling Your Vehicle with the e-CMR
According to the Nigeria Police Force, individuals who enroll their automobiles in the e-CMR get several advantages and benefits, which include the following:
Time-saving and cost-effective
Registering for eCMR in Nigeria saves you a lot of time and money. You no longer have to visit licensing offices and vehicle inspection centers physically for vehicle registration and renewals. The entire process, from registration, renewal, and transfer of ownership to vehicle inspection, can be done online from the comfort of your home. This eliminates the need to take time off work, spend hours in queues, and pay for transportation to these offices.
Convenience
The CMR portal offers you the convenience of accessing all services related to your vehicle documentation on one platform. You have a centralized database for managing the records of your vehicle from purchase to disposal. The portal allows you to start and complete any transaction at your convenience, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You also get email and SMS notifications on the status of your transactions.
Improved security
The eCMR system helps to curb revenue losses from fake vehicle registration and renewal. It uses a centralized vehicle database that stores the vehicle details and owner information, making it difficult to register stolen or smuggled vehicles.
The extensive database of the e-CMR portal will serve as a deterrent to potential criminals who may use automobiles for illegal purposes. The fact that the police have access to correct information can discourage criminal behavior. The system also uses authentication methods like National Identification Number (NIN) to verify vehicle owners, reducing identity theft and other fraudulent activities.
Access to additional services
The eCMR portal provides additional services beyond just vehicle registration and renewal. You can request vehicle inspection, transfer vehicle ownership, replace lost vehicle documents, and check traffic violation penalties on the portal. The system is also integrated with relevant government agencies like the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and traffic management authorities. This makes the overall management of your vehicle seamless and straightforward.
Other benefits include:
- It improves the police’s ability to enforce motor vehicle laws such as registration and licensing.
- The digitalized CMR will also serve to speed up investigations, especially in cases of accidents or disputes involving motor vehicles, resulting in faster resolution and less annoyance for citizens.
The eCMR system undoubtedly offers many benefits to vehicle owners in Nigeria. However, to enjoy these benefits, you need to first register your vehicle on the eCMR portal. The registration process is simple, and you only need to provide a few documents to get started. So, if you haven’t already, log on to https://cmris.npf.gov.ng and enroll your vehicle today. The eCMR has made vehicle registration and licensing in Nigeria faster, simpler, and more transparent.
PLEASE NOTE: The Discontinuation of manual processing and issuing of all CMR documents/certificates, as well as the migration to the digitalized NPF CMR portal, renders all previous CMR certificates issued by the NPF invalid.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the step-by-step process to apply for CMR motor vehicle information certificates using the e-CMR Portal in Nigeria. The most important thing is to have all your details and vehicle information handy so you can complete the application accurately. Just take it slow, follow the steps, and don’t hesitate to contact the support help desk if you get stuck.