The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) faces demands to suspend its escalating “delinquency” charges on expired driver’s licences. Public policy think tank CUTS International insists the DVLA must publicly establish the legal authority, approval process, and formula for these fees. The charges can increase significantly, reaching GHS 404.25 for licences expired by more than four years.
CUTS International argues that these charges lack clear backing in the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180). The think tank believes the fees could unfairly penalise motorists whose licences have expired but who have not driven during that period. This challenge highlights a potential regulatory gap affecting thousands of Ghanaian drivers.
This issue fits into a broader narrative of public institutions needing to demonstrate transparency and accountability in their fee structures. Ghana’s economic stability relies on clear and legally sound administrative processes. Previous instances have seen public outcry over unexplained charges by state agencies, underscoring the importance of this demand from CUTS International.
Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International, Accra, stated, “The DVLA must show Ghanaians the law, the approved fee schedule and the formula behind every cedi it collects as a delinquency charge.” He added that if the Authority cannot point to a clear legal basis, it must stop collecting the money and refund affected licence holders.
The immediate implication is that the DVLA will face increased scrutiny over its fee collection practices. Decision-makers in Parliament may respond to CUTS’ call for an urgent inquiry, potentially leading to a review of the DVLA’s fee structure. Motorists will watch closely to see if these charges are suspended or legally justified.
Under the DVLA’s Summary of Licensing and Other Activity Rates for 2026, renewing a licence before expiry costs GHS 127. However, the amount rises to GHS 204.25 for a licence expired between one day and six months. For licences expired between seven and 12 months, the fee is GHS 279.25. The charge increases to GHS 315.25 for up to two years of expiry.
Licences expired for up to four years incur a fee of GHS 352.25. The highest charge, GHS 404.25, applies to licences expired for more than four years. CUTS noted that similar escalating charges are applied to the replacement of expired licences, raising questions about their justification.
At the core of CUTS’ objection is Regulation 33 of L.I. 2180. This regulation provides for the renewal of a driver’s licence both before and after its expiry. The organisation highlighted that the regulations recognise post-expiry renewals and separately provide for an offence if a person fails to renew as prescribed.
Under the law, failing to renew a driver’s licence as prescribed can lead to a fine of between 10 and 25 penalty units. It can also result in imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both. CUTS argues that the law provides for enforcement and prosecution for an offence, not automatic administrative penalties without proof of driving.
CUTS is asking the DVLA to clarify if these escalating amounts are approved renewal fees, administrative penalties, or another form of charge. If they are penalties, the DVLA must explain the legal process that permits their imposition without proof of driving, a hearing, or a court finding. This distinction is crucial for legal fairness.
Mr. Adomako clarified that CUTS is not advocating driving with an expired licence. He stated, “Driving without a valid licence must attract lawful enforcement.” He added that their concern is that the DVLA should not presume every person with an expired licence continued to drive, imposing automatic escalating charges without legal and factual basis.
CUTS emphasized that the mere expiry of a licence should not automatically equate to unlawful driving. A licence holder might be living abroad, studying, ill, or simply not driving for an extended period. Such individuals should be encouraged to regularise their licences without being penalised as if they committed an offence.
The think tank also questioned the use of the word “delinquency,” suggesting it implies wrongdoing before individual circumstances are established. It proposed using neutral descriptions like “renewal after expiry.” This would be alongside clear criteria for waivers, exemptions, or proof that a vehicle was not in use.
Additionally, CUTS raised concerns about a GHS 181 charge for amending a licence holder’s electronic records. It argued that charging motorists to update basic information like telephone numbers or residential addresses could discourage people from keeping their records current. Accurate contact information is vital for road safety and emergency communication.
Mr. Adomako stated, “The DVLA should design fees to support compliance, not discourage it.” He warned that charging GHS 181 for a basic update risks leaving the database outdated. This weakens the public interest the database is meant to serve, potentially impacting road safety and law enforcement efforts.
Consequently, CUTS has called on Parliament to conduct an urgent inquiry into the legality, approval, and administration of the DVLA’s escalating “delinquency” charges. It also seeks clarification from the DVLA and the Ghana Police Service regarding their respective roles in enforcing licence regulations.