By Adnan Adams Mohammed
In a major effort to improve service delivery and eliminate months-long delays for motorists across the country, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced plans to decentralise the printing of driver’s licence cards across its nationwide offices.
Currently, the Authority operates a centralised system out of its Accra head office, relying on just two printing machines to process and issue licence cards for applicants across Ghana. Under the newly planned initiative, individual DVLA stations will be empowered to print licence cards locally.
The announcement was made by the Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Mr. Julius Neequaye Kotey, during the official commissioning of a new DVLA Ultra Centre in Amrahia, located within the Adentan Constituency.
“We are doing decentralisation. Every station will now print its own card so that card printing will be everywhere,” Mr. Kotey explained. He noted that final tests are underway, with a transitional rollout planned between October and December 2026, ahead of full nationwide implementation in January 2027.
Beyond the printing reforms, Mr. Kotey highlighted structural updates to licence classifications and urged vehicle owners to prioritize routine safety inspections. He clarified that while commercial licence holders are authorized to drive private cars, private licence holders cannot operate commercial vehicles due to stricter age limits and operational conditions.
Emphasizing the importance of road safety, the DVLA boss urged motorists to maintain strict inspection schedules to avoid mechanical failure-related crashes.
“If you are a commercial driver, every six months go there to check whether your car has mechanical issues. When you are a private driver, you go there every year to check once in a year whether the car doesn’t have any issue that can worry you tomorrow or the next,” Mr. Kotey stressed.
The establishment of the new Ultra Centre in Amrahia was warmly welcomed by local leaders and residents. Speaking at the ceremony, the Member of Parliament for Adentan, Mohammed Adamu Ramadan, commended the DVLA for expanding its operational footprint to serve the growing population in areas stretching toward Oyibi and Katamanso.
“The constituency is fortunate to have services brought closer to the people,” MP Ramadan stated, noting that the Amrahia office marks the second facility in the constituency alongside the Ritz Junction centre. He also praised the Authority for creating direct job opportunities for local youths at the new site.
The manager of the newly commissioned facility echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the center’s opening represents a commitment to local development and accessible public service.
“The facility is intended to bring essential services closer to residents while creating employment opportunities for young people in the community,” the manager said, adding that “sustained commitment and teamwork will be crucial to ensuring the facility delivers on its objectives.”