DVLA Announces Major Digital Reforms: Smart Testing, Cybersecurity Unit, and Safer Roads for Ghana

Ghana’s DVLA is set for a major transformation in 2026, introducing smart driving tests, a cybersecurity department, emission testing, and a demerit point system to modernise operations and improve road safety.

DVLA’s Digital Reset: How Technology Will Redefine Licensing and Road Safety in Ghana

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is preparing to undergo one of the most significant transformations in its history. In a bold announcement marking his first year in office, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Julius Neequaye Kotey, revealed a comprehensive reform agenda aimed at modernising operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing road safety through the strategic use of technology.

These reforms are not cosmetic. They signal a shift in how licensing, vehicle testing, and compliance will be managed in Ghana—moving away from manual, delay-prone systems toward a smarter, data-driven and technology-enabled DVLA.

At the heart of this transformation is the recognition that road safety, efficiency, and public trust can no longer be achieved with outdated methods.

What the Reforms Will Bring

According to Mr. Kotey, the reform package will begin with the establishment of a dedicated cybersecurity department, reflecting the growing importance of data protection in public service delivery. As the DVLA expands digital services, safeguarding personal and operational data becomes critical.

Beyond cybersecurity, the authority will introduce:

• Smart test driving systems to modernise how driving competence is assessed
• Retooled vehicle testing bays with improved equipment and standards
• An enhanced queue management system to reduce waiting times and improve customer experience
• A demerit point system to strengthen enforcement of road traffic regulations
• An embossment centre to improve the production and security of licences and documents
• An emission testing system to enhance vehicle safety and protect the environment

Taken together, these initiatives represent a structural overhaul of how the DVLA operates and how roadworthiness is defined in Ghana.

The introduction of a demerit point system, in particular, could change driver behaviour nationwide. By linking repeated infractions to measurable penalties, compliance will no longer depend solely on roadside enforcement. Instead, it will become part of a national driver record, encouraging long-term discipline.

Similarly, emission testing introduces a new layer of responsibility for vehicle owners. In a country grappling with air pollution and aging vehicle fleets, this move aligns transport regulation with environmental protection.

One Year, Measurable Impact

Mr. Kotey used the occasion to highlight what he described as a successful first year in office, noting that the DVLA’s progress aligns with the government’s resetting agenda and the 24-hour economy policy.

Among the authority’s achievements are:

• The establishment of 10 new DVLA offices nationwide
• The launch of the Adenta DVLA office, which operates on a 24-hour basis
• The clearance of a one-and-a-half-year backlog of driver’s licences
• The registration of 9,240 earthmoving equipment
• The introduction of Drive from Port (DP) stickers at ports of entry
• The rollout of new number plates designed in-house

These are not minor administrative wins. They address long-standing bottlenecks that frustrated motorists and businesses alike.

The clearance of the licence backlog alone restored public confidence in the authority’s capacity to deliver. For many Ghanaians, delayed licences meant lost job opportunities, restricted mobility, and unnecessary stress.

The introduction of DP stickers, meanwhile, has transformed vehicle movement from ports, reducing informal practices and tightening regulatory control. Mr. Kotey revealed that this single initiative led to a 39 percent increase in revenue, significantly strengthening the DVLA’s financial performance.

While the DP system began under the previous administration, he acknowledged that it faced resistance when the current government assumed office, with some individuals attempting to derail its implementation. Its success, however, demonstrates the value of continuity in good policy.

Safer Roads Through Stronger Oversight

One of the most pressing challenges on Ghana’s roads is the presence of unsafe vehicles. From faulty brakes to worn tyres and unroadworthy structures, these vehicles pose daily risks to commuters.

To confront this, the DVLA plans to deploy technical officers to Private Vehicle Testing Stations (PVTS) nationwide. Their role will be to ensure that vehicles certified as roadworthy truly meet the required standards.

This move addresses a critical gap in enforcement. Certification must mean something. When roadworthiness becomes a formality rather than a guarantee of safety, the entire system loses credibility.

With direct DVLA oversight, the authority hopes to restore integrity to the inspection process and reduce preventable accidents linked to mechanical failure.

A Culture of Teamwork

Mr. Kotey was careful to emphasize that these achievements are not personal victories.

“This effort is not a solo effort. These achievements are not solo achievements. They are the result of working in tandem,” he said, commending the board, management, and staff for their dedication.

That message matters. Institutional reform succeeds not through declarations, but through the daily commitment of people inside the system. By fostering a culture of collaboration, the DVLA increases the likelihood that its ambitious plans will translate into real-world impact.

A New Era for the DVLA

If fully implemented, these reforms will redefine the relationship between the DVLA and the Ghanaian public. Faster services, smarter testing, cleaner data, safer vehicles, and stronger compliance mechanisms all point toward a more credible and efficient authority.

For motorists, this could mean shorter queues, transparent processes, and greater trust in road safety standards. For the nation, it represents a step toward modern governance—where technology serves both convenience and accountability.

The road ahead will not be without challenges. Change always invites resistance. But with clear direction, measurable progress, and public engagement, the DVLA’s digital reset could become one of the most impactful institutional transformations in Ghana’s transport sector.

In an era where roads carry not just vehicles but the rhythm of national life, getting this right matters.

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