The Assistant Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, recently made public the Department’s plans to revise Legislative Instrument 2180. The aim of this is to improve the framework governing the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles as viable means of transport for paying passengers. The current Road Traffic Regulations, enacted in 2012 with the LI 2180, disallows the utilization of these vehicles for business purposes.
Under the present legislative instrument, it is expressly forbidden for licensing bodies to register a motorcycle or tricycle if it is intended to be used for fare-collection purposes. This regulation further states that no individual can use, or allow to be used, a motorcycle or tricycle under their control for commercial ventures, except in scenarios involving courier and delivery services.
Nonetheless, Assistant Secretary Affo-Toffey communicated that the department plans to revamp the regulatory control to permit related agencies to more effectively put into action their respective roles. She revealed this during her address at the mid-year performance review of the Drivers and Vehicles License Authority (DVLA) for 2025, which took place in Akyawkrom, near Ejisu.
Furthermore, the new law, when enacted, will call upon the DVLA to issue permits for commercial motorcycle or tricycle operation. Applicant training will then become essential, an aspect deemed non-negotiable. This progress aims at creating standard operating procedures for the training of commercial vehicle operators in the near future.
The gathering served a dual purpose: to evaluate the combined accomplishments of various DVLA departments in the first half of the year and to discuss the Authority’s achievements, address its challenges, and recalibrate strategies to guarantee a robust, innovative, and well-equipped entity capable of carrying out its duties.
The conference, operating under the theme ‘Resetting DVLA for an Efficient 24-Hour Operations’, was intended to plot a targeted course for directing the DVLA’s activities throughout the rest of the year. In addition, effective strategies for 24-hour operations were explored to ensure comprehensive service provision and customer satisfaction.
During her address, the Assistant Secretary, who also serves the Jomoro Constituency as a Member of Parliament, voiced a strong appeal for everyone to continue enhancing DVLA’s services. The intent behind her message was that the betterment of these services was the shared responsibility of all those performing duties within the industry, with the ultimate beneficiaries being the general public.
Affo-Toffey pointed out that the pathway to success hinges on determination, discipline, and judicious use of existing resources. Additionally, she underscored the crucial role DVLA plays in verifying both the roadworthiness of the vehicles on our roads and the qualifications of the individuals driving them.
For optimal results, she emphasized the need for the DVLA to bolster its working relationship with the National Road Safety Authority, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Services, and all other key players within the industry. It is also vital, she mentioned, that the DVLA aligns its strategies with government’s resetting agenda, taking cues and drawing inspiration to achieve its set objectives.
The DVLA has prioritized making their operations more efficient. A clear testament to this is their dedication to processing the backlog of license applications, some of which date back to January 2024. This undertaking has been expedited with the aim of clearing all pending applications.
As part of this commitment to improvement and in alignment with the government’s objectives, the DVLA launched a round-the-clock operation at its print farms. This move was designed to erase the backlog of pending license applications, and consequently, the Adentan office was selected to operate on a 24-hour basis to facilitate this objective.
The DVLA is setting a high standard, aiming for recognition as a global leader in integrity, efficiency, and transparency in delivering world-class services in relation to driver and vehicle licensing, based on universally recognized standards.
The organization has shown great progress, transitioning from a phase of grappling with numerous challenges in its operational systems to become a front-runner in public service excellence. In addition, the DVLA is renowned for its commitment to outstanding service, and for spearheading new initiatives within the public sector.
Looking forward, the DVLA’s agenda not only includes reviewing past accomplishments but also planning for a future that promises to be even more meaningful. Crucial in these plans is the promotion of the 24-hour economy as well as efforts to formally recognize the Okada, Pragya, and Aboboya for commercial ventures.
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