The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has cleared approximately 400,000 pending driver’s licence applications after inheriting a backlog exceeding 440,000 cases, according to official statements made Friday.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Stephen Attuh, Director of Corporate Affairs at DVLA, described the situation as both operationally challenging and a potential security risk that required urgent intervention.
The Authority established a 24-hour operational centre to centralise processing and protect the integrity of Ghana’s licensing system. Attuh explained that the current Chief Executive Officer, Julius Neequaye Kotey, commissioned the round-the-clock facility upon discovering the scale of the backlog.
The centralised system was designed to prevent unauthorised access and eliminate the issuance of fake licences, Attuh said during the televised interview.
DVLA is working to expand 24-hour operations to regional offices across the country. Offices unable to maintain full overnight services currently operate extended two-shift systems until demand justifies complete rollout.
The Authority has opened an additional 24-hour centre at Adenta to accelerate processing. Similar round-the-clock services are operating at the ports in Takoradi and Tema.
Despite the progress, some applicants continue to report delays dating back to 2023. Attuh acknowledged ongoing complaints and urged affected individuals to remain patient as the Authority works through remaining applications.
The intervention represents a significant operational shift for DVLA as it attempts to modernise service delivery and eliminate persistent delays that have frustrated Ghanaian motorists for years.
