DVLA defends escalating delinquency charges for expired licenses

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ghana is facing scrutiny over escalating delinquency charges applied to motorists renewing or replacing expired driver’s licenses. The public policy think tank CUTS International has called for an immediate suspension and review of these fees, questioning the legal basis for assuming motorists continue to drive while their licenses are expired.

Under the DVLA’s 2026 fee schedule, a standard renewal costs GH¢127. However, charges increase based on the duration of expiry, reaching GH¢404.25 for licenses expired for more than four years. CUTS International has demanded transparency regarding the precise legal provisions and formulas used to calculate these amounts.

In response, DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey stated that the charges are not determined by the authority but were approved by Parliament through laws enacted in 2012 and amended in 2025. Kotey noted that the authority’s new IPP Pro system automatically applies these approved charges to ensure transparency and prevent staff from negotiating alternative payments with motorists. He expressed readiness to defend the imposition of these charges in court.