New Drivers’ License out

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority has launched a new driver's license which requires that from next year, the possessor must be literate with at least the basic school certificate.

The new license which is in a form of a plastic identity card is to replace the existing one for all categories of drivers -private, commercial or international. It is renewable after six years.

The new license which costs 154,000 cedis has security features like water marks and the national coat of arms logo. Each of the DVLA's 23 offices nationwide is eligible to issue a drivers' license.

Launching the new license in Accra on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Joe Osei Owusu said the introduction of the new licenses would eliminate the activities of middle men, popularly called 'goro boys' and to meet international standards.

The minimum education requirement, he said is to make for easier assimilation of traffic safety signs and regulations.

Mr. Osei-Owusu said unlike the booklet type of license which could easily be faked and destroyed, the plastic and computerized type is more durable able and cannot be destroyed easily or duplicated.

He said it is not advisable for the bearers of the existing license to change for new one unless the expiry date is due.

He noted that following the intensification of public education by the DVLA the number of clients kept increasing which implied that they were beginning to realize that they had been issued with fake documents prepared by outsiders.

Over 2,000 fake licenses have been intercepted and impounded by the DVLA as a result of the campaign.

In order to differentiate between genuine DVLA staff and the 'goro boys', the staff have been given DVLA ID cards which should help clients avoid imposters.

C.W. Musah, Director, Driver Training/Testing and Licensing who briefed the media on the new computerized system said the machines have signature column, eye testing, finger printing and camera sections to ensure a one stop processing of documents.

This requires that the applicant must be present to go through the process unlike the old system where applicants could have their licenses renewed though third parties.

Source: The Ghanaian Times