The 36-year-old victim, named only by his initials A.A., had third-degree burns when he was admitted Wednesday to hospital in the city of Oran, about 360 kilometres west of Algiers. He died the following day.

The man doused himself in fuel and set himself on fire to express his anger at a policeman who confiscated his driver's licence on witnessing "dangerous driving", El Watan said.

Self-immolations have become regular in Algeria since January 2011 following protests at the cost of living which claimed five lives and left more than 800 people injured.

One such case in neighbouring Tunisia was the spark for the popular uprising that on January 14 last year toppled president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali from power after 23 years.