Commercial drivers in Kumasi have expressed mixed reactions to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority’s (DVLA) decision to charge GH¢25 to digitise records for vehicles registered before 2023.

While some drivers say the fee is reasonable and necessary to improve efficiency, others insist the process should be free, arguing that they already paid for vehicle registration in the past.

One driver who supports the fee urged his colleagues to accept the policy, describing digitisation as unavoidable in modern times. He acknowledged challenges with the system but maintained that the amount being charged is minimal. According to him, the move aligns with Ghana’s transition to a digital economy and should be embraced.

However, concerns were raised about persistent network challenges at DVLA offices. Another driver complained that accessing data remains difficult due to frequent system failures, which often delay services.

He explained that drivers sometimes spend long hours at DVLA offices only for the system to go offline, making the process frustrating.

Others strongly opposed the fee, describing it as unfair. One driver argued that since vehicle owners had already paid registration fees, any form of re-registration or data update should be done at no additional cost.

Highlighting the financial burden, another commercial driver noted that GH¢25 may appear small but becomes significant when multiplied by the number of vehicles involved. He also expressed concern that the registration process could disrupt drivers’ work schedules for several days and appealed to the government to maintain the old registration system.

Despite the objections, some drivers welcomed the charge, describing it as fair and necessary. One driver said the fee forms part of regulatory requirements and suggested that DVLA officials visit various transport terminals to register drivers on-site.

He explained that such an approach would be more convenient, reduce congestion at DVLA offices and speed up the process.

Last year, the DVLA announced plans to introduce new vehicle licence plates in 2026, with implementation initially expected to begin in January. The new system is designed to incorporate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enhance traceability.

However, on December 24, 2025, the DVLA Chief Executive Officer, Julius Neequaye Kotey, announced that implementation of the policy had been suspended pending parliamentary approval of the new process.

He explained that the suspension became necessary because a proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which specifies the content and format of vehicle number plates in Ghana, was still before Parliament and had not yet been approved.