For over 60 years since the establishment of the Central Motor Registry by the Nigeria Police Force, the mandatory registration of vehicle information was done manually, and therefore fraught with some challenges.
To address the rising sophistication of vehicular crime in the country, the Nigeria Police Force in April 2023, introduced the digitalized Central Motor Registry Information System (e-CMR) for the seamless management of every motor vehicle and its ownership.
With the establishment of the e-CMR, motor vehicle owners are now able to provide information about their vehicles, their ownership and other necessary details that will aid digital age policing remotely by using an internet-enabled device.
Many vehicle owners in Nigeria do not know what steps to follow to apply for their CMR Motor Vehicle Information Certificates using the e-CMR portal.
In this article, Nairametrics will outline the steps that Nigerian vehicle owners can follow to register for the e-CMR.
In addition, the advantages and benefits for Nigerians enrolling their vehicles in the e-CMR portal will be discussed as well.
Steps to apply for the CMR Motor Vehicle Information Certificate using the e-CMR portal
First and foremost, enrollment of vehicles in the e-CMR portal can only be possible by using an internet-enabled device, such as a personal computer smartphone.
Individuals and corporate bodies should adhere to the following 12 steps to apply 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 Organisation
- (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 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- If Email is no longer valid, select No and enter a valid email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, if confirmed, click Continue to proceed
Step 7: Personal Information Page (Review uploaded NIN/TIN information)
- Select the 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 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
Advantages and benefits of enrolling your vehicle with the e-CMR
According to the Nigeria Police Force, there are several advantages and benefits for citizens enrolling their vehicles in the e-CMR.
One of those advantages is that a digitalized CMR enhances the security of vehicles in the sense that the Police can make use of accurate and real-time vehicle information provided during registration to prevent and swiftly resolve vehicular crimes.
Secondly, the e-CMR equips the Police better to enforce laws related to motor vehicles, such as registration and licensing.
Furthermore, the comprehensive database of the e-CMR portal will serve as a deterrent to potential criminals who might use vehicles for illegal activities. The knowledge that the Police have access to accurate information can discourage criminal behaviour.
The digitalized CMR will also help to expedite investigations, particularly in cases of accidents or disputes involving motor vehicles, thereby providing quick resolution and reducing inconvenience for citizens.
In addition, the Nigeria Police Force maintains that the ability of the Force to maintain accurate vehicular information contributes to national security. It ensures that vehicles associated with criminal activities can be tracked and addressed promptly.
What you should know
- The discontinuation of the manual processing and issuance of all CMR documents/certificates and migration to the digitalized NPF CMR portal consequently makes all other CMR certificates previously issued by the NPF invalid.
How much is it?
Can it be remotely applied for?
The major selling point of this exercise to vehicle owners, which is the ability to trace and recover vehicle if stolen is not captured in this report.
While. This is a brilliant idea in terms of the reasons given. However, there is an issue with this new e-CMR which is renewable yearly at over N5000. Why should it be so?
The car remains my own until it os sold, then, the police can collect another payment from the new owner as they update their details.
Citizens should engage and get this annual revalidation exploitation dropped.
Am having issue with proceeding to make payment for my CMR . What do I do to overcome this challenge
I generated a receipt and paid within the time limit through Bank transfer. Up till now it is still showing pending.
What will I do.
The colour of my vehicle is CUSTOM and it’s not captured in the pop list of vehicles colours
what should i do
Thank you, Nairametrics. This process isn’t working. I’m supposed to get a code, but it never comes – email, sms, call. IT IS NOT WORKING!
Yes that issue of not receiving a code happened in the early days of JAN 2024. I tried late January, and it came.
i have completed the process and certificate issued
Hello Aderemi, please how long did it take for your certificate to be issued? I’ve completed the registration and payment, however, I haven’t seen anything related to certificate on the site.