As part of recent changes implemented by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), driver’s licenses in Ghana will henceforth expire on the holder’s birthday.
The Chief Executive of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, who announced the policy, said the move is aimed at modernising the Authority’s operations and improving efficiency in licence administration.
“With this initiative, your date of birth will be the day on which your licence expires. The public should take note of this change. We are also extending this system to roadworthiness certification, so when it is time to renew your roadworthy certificate, you will receive an SMS indicating the due date,” he said.
At a media briefing last Friday to mark one year in office, Mr Kotey said the proposed linkage of licence expiry dates to drivers’ birthdays would improve tracking, reduce confusion over renewals, and align Ghana with international standards.
He added that the move would enhance compliance, improve service delivery, and boost revenue mobilisation in the transport sector.
Mr Kotey also announced plans by the DVLA to introduce an SMS reminder system to notify motorists before their licences and roadworthiness certificates expire.
He said the move would reduce manual follow-ups and ease congestion caused by last-minute renewals.
The DVLA CEO added that the reforms are integral to the authority’s digital transformation agenda, designed to improve operational efficiency, minimise avoidable traffic infractions, reduce revenue leakages, and bolster the enforcement of road safety regulations nationwide.
Speaking about the major accomplishments of the first year in office, he stated that the DVLA had increased monthly registration volumes from 10,000 to 16,000 by registering more than 10,000 earth-moving machinery and other movable machines at ports.
According to Mr Kotey, the authority has also opened ten additional offices in areas including Savannah, Bono, Ashanti, and Greater Accra, including 24-hour service centres.
In order to improve the provision of services to the general population, he added, the DVLA has implemented mobile licensing units, SMS reminders, and skill-building initiatives.
Additionally, the DVLA Chief Executive stated that in order to streamline services, the authority has worked with the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the State Insurance Company (SIC).
He continued by saying that a 9% increase in revenue had been achieved over the previous year, thanks to creative tactics and responsible management systems, which would be put back into growing operations.
Mr Kotey stated that the DVLA was concentrating on improving car inspection procedures and implementing an automated vehicle emission testing system.
He clarified that the method will lessen the occurrence of rickety cars releasing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, which have an impact on both the environment and human health.
Additionally, Mr Kotey stated that the authorities would make every effort to ensure that the new number plates with improved tracking technology are implemented.
In order to guarantee that every citizen had instant access to high-quality services, he continued, the DVLA would extend its 24-hour services to the majority of regional stations.