By Collins Sarkodieh 
Ghanaian drivers can finally celebrate as a major relief comes to national roads and highways. The Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service has officially announced that drivers no longer need to surrender their physical driving licence cards to police officers during routine traffic stops.
Under newly updated road traffic regulations, motorists only need to present their licence card for inspection or visual verification. Officers can examine the document and record the necessary details without taking physical possession of the card or retaining it at checkpoint locations.
For years, many drivers experienced serious frustration when officers impounded driving licences over minor infractions or routine checks. Transport unions and private vehicle owners frequently complained that seizing physical cards caused unnecessary delays and created opportunities for roadside extortion and unlawful demands.
The leadership of the MTTD explains that this strategic regulatory update aims to modernize traffic enforcement while promoting transparency across police checkpoints. By removing the practice of seizing licence cards, the police service intends to eliminate artificial delays and protect motorists from unfair treatment on the road.
Traffic management experts and civil society groups have warmly welcomed the directive, describing it as a huge step toward building public trust in law enforcement. Drivers are encouraged to always carry valid driving licences and present them promptly whenever requested by uniformed officers conducting official duties.