DVLA Under Fire as CUTS Demands Immediate Suspension of “Delinquency” Fees
CUTS International, Accra, is urging Parliament to intervene and compel the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to halt what it describes as unlawful and escalating “delinquency” charges imposed on drivers who renew or replace their licences after expiry.
In a strongly worded statement issued on 9th August 2026, the public policy think tank said the DVLA has failed to disclose the legal basis, approval process and formula behind the additional fees, which rise steeply depending on how long a licence has been expired.
Escalating Fees Without Clear Legal Basis
According to the DVLA’s 2026 licensing schedule, renewing a licence before expiry costs GH¢127.00. However, once the licence expires, the fee jumps to:
- GH¢204.25 for 1 day–6 months expired
- GH¢279.25 for 7–12 months
- GH¢315.25 for up to 2 years
- GH¢352.25 for up to 4 years
- GH¢404.25 beyond 4 years
Similar charges apply to replacing an expired licence.
CUTS argues that these automatic penalties are “unfair, opaque and open to abuse” unless the DVLA can point to a specific statutory instrument authorising each amount.
“Public power must rest on law. If the Authority cannot point to a clear legal basis for each charge, it must stop collecting the money and refund affected licence holders,” said Appiah Kusi Adomako, Esq., Director of CUTS International, West Africa.
Law Does Not Support Automatic Penalties
CUTS cites Regulation 46 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which states that a licence may be renewed within one month before expiry, and explicitly allows renewal after expiry. The law only criminalises driving with an expired licence—not the mere fact of expiry.
The organisation stresses that:
- The DVLA cannot presume that everyone with an expired licence continued to drive.
- Penalties for driving without a valid licence must be imposed only by a court, not at a DVLA counter.
- Automatic delinquency fees are ultra vires, contradicting the intention of lawmakers.
CUTS warns that the current system risks double punishment, as drivers convicted in court for driving with an expired licence may still face DVLA’s escalating charges during renewal.
Expiry Does Not Equal Wrongdoing
CUTS highlights practical scenarios where expiry does not imply illegal driving—such as Ghanaians living abroad, people who are ill, or individuals who simply do not own a vehicle.
A Ghanaian returning from a five‑year study programme abroad, for example, would be placed in the highest delinquency bracket despite not driving on Ghanaian roads during the period.
“He should not be branded delinquent and punished as though expiry itself proves unlawful driving,” Mr. Adomako noted.
Concerns Over GH¢181 Record Amendment Fee
Beyond delinquency charges, CUTS also criticised the DVLA’s GH¢181 fee for updating electronic records such as addresses or phone numbers. The think tank says the fee discourages accurate data updates, undermining road safety and identity verification.
Call for Parliamentary Inquiry
CUTS is calling on Parliament to launch an urgent investigation into:
- The legality of DVLA’s delinquency charges
- Whether the fees were properly approved
- How the charges are administered
- The enforcement roles of DVLA and the Ghana Police Service
The organisation insists that while DVLA needs revenue, it must operate strictly within the law and prioritise public service and road safety.