Ghana’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) rejected 4,896 driver's licence applicants in 2025. These individuals failed to meet mandatory visual standards during eye examinations, despite initial screenings and some receiving medical intervention.
The rejections are part of intensified DVLA efforts to address impaired vision. This is a significant factor in road accidents across Ghana. Poor eyesight often goes unnoticed, contributing to preventable crashes.
This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to enhance road safety and reduce accident fatalities. Road accidents continue to be a major Public Health concern in Ghana. Data from the National Road Safety Authority indicates thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths annually. The DVLA's focus on eyesight directly tackles one identified cause of these incidents. It complements other measures, such as vehicle safety checks and driver education programs.
Kafui Semevo, the Director for Driver Training, Testing and Licensing at the DVLA, commented on the process. He told The Ghanaian Times that many drivers only discovered their eye conditions during these compulsory screenings. He emphasized the importance of strictly enforcing Regulation 29 of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2180. This regulation is crucial for reducing preventable road crashes and improving road safety. Drivers whose vision could not be corrected had their licences revoked according to the law. Those with treatable conditions had their licences suspended until they were medically cleared.
The DVLA's screenings identified various vision conditions among drivers. These included glaucoma, cataracts, refractive errors, and complications from hypertension. A total of 251,117 commercial and private drivers underwent compulsory eye screening nationwide in 2025. Of this number, 218,471 applicants, or 87 percent, passed their initial tests. However, 32,645 initially failed. After medical treatment or obtaining prescribed corrective lenses, 24,483 of these individuals were subsequently cleared. This left the 4,896 individuals ultimately rejected.
Policy discussions are ongoing regarding individuals diagnosed with “single vision.” This condition was highlighted in a survey by the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Under proposed arrangements, these individuals might drive private vehicles but not commercial ones. The DVLA is collaborating with the University of Cape Coast and the Ghana Optometric Association (GOA). They are evaluating the impact of these reforms on overall road safety figures. Chief Superintendent of Police, Dr Remi Ninkpe, Coordinator of the DVLA-GOA Eye Care Reforms Project, warned drivers against self-medication and unprescribed glasses. Such practices can worsen eye conditions and pose serious dangers on the roads.
The strict enforcement of eye examinations will likely lead to a sustained reduction in road accidents linked to poor vision. This could result in fewer injuries and fatalities, lowering the economic burden on the healthcare system. Decision-makers and the public will closely monitor the evaluation from the UCC and GOA. Success in reducing accidents might encourage further stringent health checks for drivers. It could also influence insurance premiums and public confidence in Ghana's road network.