DVLA to clamp down on unregistered driving schools

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Chronicle indicates that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), in collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools, will, with immediate effect, from this week close down some driving schools, which they consider be sub-standard.

The DVLA has given the mandate to the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools, to embark upon the exercise, to bring sanity and efficiency into the system.

According to the DVLA, they have noted with grave concern, the poor standard of some of the schools, and as a result, drivers who undertake lessons from such schools, fall below the requirements of the DVLA.

Apart from the fact that such mushroom schools are below standard, and charge low fees from the unsuspecting potential learners, they do not have qualified, trained and licensed instructors as is required by law.

The DVLA requirement stipulates that all driving schools in the country, should at least have dual pedals in traffic vehicles, proof of separate bank accounts, a lecture room of twenty-five (25) sitting capacity, and is registered with the Registrar General.

In recent times, many mushroom schools have sprung up in the cities, creating chaos in the system, according to the leadership of the Association, and they have urged the public to enrol with only registered schools.

Mr. Agyarko Ofosu, National Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools, confirmed in an interview with this paper, that the DVLA had given them a directive to, with immediate effect, close down the mushroom schools.

According to him, the activities of the mushroom schools, has caused members of the association, to refuse to pay their obligated dues, on the basis that they were being cheated, and have resolved that until sanctions are imposed on such mushroom schools, they would not fulfill their obligations.

He said such a attitude was causing loss of revenue for the DVLA, hence the decision.

Meanwhile, checks at the DVLA, indicate that some officials at the DVLA were collaborating with the mushroom schools, in securing driving licenses for learners from such training institutions.

To be on the safe side, Mr. Agyarko appealed to all potential learners, to look for accredited and licensed driving schools, to enrol themselves, to avoid any embarrassment from the DVLA.