Online Drivers Licence Registration and Renewal System (a Case Study of FRSC Registration Office Okigwe Road Imo State)
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objective of this study is to design a system that will assist Licensing Office to issue driver’s license to vehicle owners. So the new system will among other things:
- Captures and stores data for driver’s license issuance.
- Create database for registering new driver’s license
- Print driver’s license to vehicle owners.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews the literature of an Online Driving License Registration and Renewal System.Because a large number of countries, including Nigeria and other countries, have no national identification cards and because of the widespread use of cars, driver’s licenses are often used as a de facto standard form of identification. Most identification cards and driver’s license cards are credit card size—the “ID-1” size and shape (85.60 × 53.98 mm (3.370 × 2.125 in) with rounded corners with a radius of 2.88–3.48 mm.) defined in ISO/IEC 7810.
INFORMATION SYSTEM
According to Wikipedia, an information system is any combination of information technology and people’s activities that support operations, management and decision making. In a very broad sense, the term information system is frequently used to refer the interaction between people, processes, data and technology. In this sense, the term is used to refer not only to the information and communication technology (ICT) that an organization uses, but also to the way in which people interact with this technology in support of business processes.
There is a clear distinction between information systems, computer systems, and business processes. Information systems typically include an ICT component but are not purely concerned with ICT, focusing in instead, on the end use of information technology. Information systems help to control the performance of business processes. Motor vehicle licensing system is an information system which is a special type of work system. A work system is a system in which humans and/or machines perform works using resources to produce specific products and/or services for customers. An information system is a work system whose activities are devoted to processing (capturing, transmitting, storing, retrieving, manipulating and displaying) information.
As such there are arguments that information systems inter-relate with data systems on the other hand and activity systems on the other. An information system is a form of communication system in which data represent and are processed as a form of communication system in which data represent and are processed as a form of social memory. An information system can also be considered a semi-formal language which supports human decision making and action. This system also has the basic five components of information system which consists of namely:
- People, which consists of IT specialists (such as a Database Administrator, Vehicle Inspectors) and end-users.
- Hardware, which consists of all the physical aspects of an information system, ranging from peripherals to computer parts and servers.
- Software, which consists of System software, Application software and Utility software.
- Data, which consists of all the knowledge and databases in the information system.
- Networks, which consists of communication media and network support.
DATABASE SYSTEM
A database system is a term that is typically used to encapsulate the constructs of a data model, database management system (DBMS) and database. A database is an organized pool of logically related data. Data is stored within the data structures of the database. A DBMS is a suite of computer software providing the interface between users and a database. A DBMS is a shell which surrounds a database or series of databases and through which all interactions takes places with the database. The interactions catered for by most existing DBMS fall into four main groups:
Data Definition: defining new data structures for a database, removing data structures from the database, modifying the structure of the existing data.
Data Maintenance: inserting new data into existing data structures, updating data into existing data structures, deleting data from existing data structures.
Data Retrieval: querying existing data by end-users and extracting data for use by application programs.
Data Control: creating and monitoring users of the database, restricting access to data in the database and monitoring the performance of the databases.
Both a database and its DBMS conform to the principles of a particular data model.
The Federal Road Safety Commission
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) was established in February 2001 with the statutory mandate to reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of road traffic crash and the consequent human and material losses among other functions includes designing the driver’slicense to be used by the various categories of vehicle operators, and designing vehicle plate identification numbers and controlling the use of speed limiting devices.
In January 2004, the FRSC introduced a new harmonized design which was implemented nationwide reflecting the following, super-imposed codes for various categories of vehicles, description parameters to show colour of vehicle and previous registration (where applicable), and Republic counterfoil to enhance documentation and auditing.
In January 2005, National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) was introduced with the retro-reflective number plates coming into force. The new vehicle number plate is standardized with full security features and produced in a secured environment by the commission in collaboration with Governments, Military, Paramilitary and Diplomatic Missions. Among its security features are; colour-coded to distinguish categories of vehicles and Reflectivity at night under normal vehicle lamp.
In July 2009, the FRSC planned to restore the integrity of Unified Licensing Scheme (ULS) and National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), also planned to maintain a credible database of all drivers in Nigeria and to develop a robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) network. Indeed, the FRSC was one of the earliest federal agencies to embrace ICT. The idea behind ULS was to unify vehicle and driver licensing in Nigeria in order to create a national database so that authority/personnel would have instant access to vehicle or motorists records. Drivers sex, height, blood group, disability, health status etc. similar scheme have long operated in developed and even developing countries with positive implication for road safety management and crime control.
Josephine Lahore (2005) stated that the greatest failure of the FRSC is its inability to realize this target with the result that it is still possible for any person living or dead to obtain multiple drivers’ license. Driver’s license remains a huge racket for road safety officers, revenue officials and the touts that litter licensing offices.
Cronkhite (1998), stated that automation is not a panacea but rather just a tool for; rapid correlation of crime and criminal information from massive amounts of data, quickly locating and dispatching field forces, storing, correlating, manipulating and retrieving massive amounts of data accurately and promptly, speedily transmitting and interchanging and information from field personnel to data files and from one agency to another.
Transport system represents a major interface between the location of activities and the general movement of people in an urban system (Pratelli and Brebbia, 2001). Hitherto, urban transport problems are becoming more and more acute in the cities in Nigeria (Oladipo, 2001)
World Health Organization (2002) recently articulated that health concerns related to traffic and transportation have become a worldwide phenomenon and will likely become more of an issue in the future. Findings from other recent studies that stress from transportation may represent an important factor that will influence the wellbeing of urban population (Pratelli, 2001; Gee and Takeuchi, 2004).
The second half of the 20th century witnessed rapid rate of urbanization, an emergence of cities in various parts of Nigeria due to a number of factors among which are: introduction of wheeled transportation, particularly railway and roads; categorization of settlement into hierarchical order of development; introduction of monetized economy and consequently production of cash crops and exploitation of mineral resources; continuous geopolitical restructuring, through creation of states and local governments in 1967, 1976, 1987, 1991 and 1995; and the industrialization process between 1960 and 1975, which was based on import substitution strategies and consumer market for imported goods and services (Ogundeji, 2011).
CHAPTER THREE
SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
INTRODUCTION
System analysis and design involve ascertaining the objectives and problems of the existing system, and proper analysis carried out on facts gathered. Furthermore, the design of this study is to explain the method applied for the successfulness of the work.
SYSTEM ANALYSIS
System analysis can be simplified here as a detailed inquiry carried out by the system analyst to identify a better course of action and make a better decision on the proposed system. The analysis involves all the processes that are carried out as regarding ordinance of drivers’ license registration and renewal. Before obtaining the drivers’ license, the applicant has to first of all, present the particulars of the car, which will be accessed. After that, he will be given a form to fill. The job of issuing a driving license to the vehicle owners is the work of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).Without the issuing of this license, the driver will not be allowed to ply on the road, and if driver drives without license, when arrested will be liable for prosecution by the provision of the law establishing highway rules and regulation.
Therefore, for someone to obtain motor/vehicle license, the vehicle inspector must have to make sure that the entire document on the person’s possession is authentic.
DETAILED DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM
Presently, the mode of storage is both in manual and computerized form (digitized). Owing to lack of proper database maintenance. Database recovery plan, coupled with the increase in the vehicle registration, various problems raise their ugly heads in various fashions.
The problems are itemized below;
- Poor performance experienced during information retrieval, due to lack of efficient storage of data.
- Lack of proper, correct, accurate and concise information about the car owner.
- Lack of proper and accurate keeping of information about old records that have been stored for some time.
- Lack of space for files and registers: the packing of old files and register sometimes are destroyed in order to make space for new ones.
- Lack of review process: this is a situation where there is no avenue creation for review. This hinders adequate maintenance of the system.
FEASIBULITY STUDY
In the development cycle of this proposed system, feasibility study can be seen to do with the process of determining whether or not the system can reasonably be expected to be an effective solution to the limitations of the manual method.
Studies showed that the new computer base system will be a great replace of the old system. Technical, Operational, Environmental, and other issues were considered during the study of the system.
METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
This is the method of gathering facts about a situation, these include; interview, questionnaire, record inspection, and objective. Each of these methods has a particular advantage, and also disadvantage, hence an analyst may use two or more to complement each other, and help ensure a thorough Investigation.
CHAPTER FOUR
SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter explains how the new system will be implemented. It explains the various modules that the system can be configured, the hardware and software configuration of the system and how to start using the system. This software was designed in such a way that its only staffs and administrators can make use of the critical aspect of it. Staffs just need to input their password to have access to the new software if and only if the password is valid. Also this system was designed that it’s only the administrator can delete or edit records. There is high level of security in this system to avoid unauthorized users tampering with data. The interface was designed to be user-friendly. That is to say that nothing is hard to understand while using the system.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENTION, AND CONCLUSION
SUMMARY
During the research work of this project, I was able to realize that the consistent problem encountered is as a result of improper storage of data/information in the licensing office.This study explains well that the introduction of the online driving license registration and renewal system in the licensing office of FRSC will wipe away all human prone errors in processing and increase the security of registered drivers’ records in the country.This study shows that the decision-making process of the drivers’ licensing system offices depends solely on how well the records are managed and stored in the computer. It is now paramount that security agencies such as police now have a reliable source of retrieving or getting information on drivers on the Nigerian roads.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Having presented all that is necessary for a successful implementation of this research, the following recommendations are suggested by the researcher aimed at improving and correcting some lapses.
Licensing offices and departments should be well equipped with internet ready computers to allow for proper communication. This will in turn make insurance companies to consider operating online as well.
Epileptic power supply should be reduced since this is a client server system running on the internet, which means the servers must be online 24 hours every day. All the processes of drivers’ licensing and renewal cannot be achieved only online, therefore there must be human inspection of drivers under a controlled environment.
There is need to implement real time processing on mobile devices and tracking systems to enable independent tracking companies have access to the licensing database, because this will help in fast tracking and recovering stolen vehicles.
Finally, training of staff in the area of computer usage, this will help in correction, fast and easy retrieval of records. The need to incorporate payment subsystem in the software is also recommended to reduce bank queues. To develop and achieve good and robust software, time is a valuable factor. In order words, time must be spent for such project depending on the software engineering methodology to be adopted.
CONCLUSION
The experience acquired from this project cannot be over-emphasized. It has really bridged the gap between classroom paper work and practical work involved in software development.Furthermore, this project portal is still open for further studies and modifications to increase its security and efficiency.
Finally, I draw the following conclusion.
- The old system has not been efficient, and it is a setback to the growth of the Federal Road Safety Commission.
- The old system promotes stress.
- If a new computerized system is designed, the problems encountered using the old system will be fully eliminated.
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- Oladipo, O. I. (2011). Road Transportation in South Western Nigeria, 1900 – 1960: its Role, Nature and Impact on the Economy. Nicholas Brealey Publishing, London.
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