By Ghana News 
Public policy think tank CUTS International has urged Parliament to intervene and order the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to suspend its escalating delinquency charges.
The policy group released an official statement on August 9, 2026, demanding full disclosure of the legal backing behind penalties imposed on drivers who renew or replace expired licences.
Under the current 2026 DVLA fee structure, renewing a licence before expiry costs GH¢127. However, once a licence expires, penalties jump automatically from GH¢204.25 for up to six months to over GH¢404 for delays beyond four years.
West Africa Director for CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, stated that public power must rest strictly on law. He emphasized that if the DVLA cannot produce a clear statutory instrument for these charges, it must refund affected motorists immediately.
The policy think tank cited Regulation 46 of the Road Traffic Regulations, noting that the law only criminalizes driving with an expired licence rather than the mere act of late renewal.
CUTS explained that penalties for driving without a valid document belong in a court of law rather than at a DVLA counter. Automatically branding every late applicant as delinquent creates unfair double punishment for citizens who were ill or living abroad.
Beyond late renewal penalties, CUTS also criticized the GH¢181 charge for updating basic personal details on electronic records. High fees for updating phone numbers or addresses discourage drivers from keeping state records accurate.
Public institutions must raise revenue lawfully while serving the public fairly. Drivers across Ghana now look to Parliament to investigate these administrative fees and ensure regulators operate strictly within the law.
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