In Nigeria, motor vehicle administration dates back to the colonial days with the coming of roads that linked the ports, regional capitals and other places of economic activities of the country.

Before 1939, vehicle inspection was carried out by the Directorate of works while motor licensing was carried out by the motor licensing officer under the Federal Ministry of Finance. During the Second World War, officers from the Directorate of works were drafted from Nigeria to serve in the colonial regiment of England. Consequently, the Directorate of work could no longer carry out the responsibilities of vehicle inspections.

On 1st January, 1949, the road traffic Act was promulgated by the colonial administration. It was an Act to regulate and control vehicular traffic on the highways and the licensing of such vehicles and persons in charge as well as matters incidental thereto. This in effect is motor vehicle administration. As a result of this development, the Inspector General of Police was mandated to undertake the responsibilities of vehicle inspection as well as driver licensing and enforcement of the traffic rules regulations until 1958 constitution of Nigeria conferred the powers on Regional Government to promulgate their own traffic laws.

The regions adopted the existing Modus Operandi; thus the Inspector General of Police continued to serve as the Principal licensing officer. This was however relinquished with the creation of inspection units under Mechanical Departments of Ministry of works of the then regions by the Prime Minister through a majority vote with effect from April, 1963. Hence, the promulgation of Caps. 118 of 1963, 115 of 1965 and 116 of 1967 for Northern Nigeria, Western and Eastern Nigeria respectively. However, with the coming into force of these laws and regulations, the nation witnessed a positive change in Motor Vehicle Administration. Drivers were properly tested and Licenced, vehicles were fully inspected and certified and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (V.I.O.s) were properly conducting routine checks on all roads to ensure road safety. At the same time collection of road tax as revenues being paid promptly by defaulters who were brought to book. Thus, the creation of states out of the then regions witnessed transferring of these functions to the states and later, the FCT.