The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has shut down six private vehicle testing stations (PVTS) after investigations revealed they were issuing roadworthy certificates without conducting proper inspections.
DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey disclosed this at the inauguration of a new PVTS at Buduburam, near Kasoa. He said the closures were carried out over the past two to three months.
“In the last two to three months, we have closed about six PVTS that failed to inspect vehicles but still issued roadworthy certificates,” he noted, cautioning operators and staff against engaging in corrupt practices.
The move is part of a broader effort to sanitise the country’s vehicle inspection system, curb irregularities, and safeguard revenue from certification processes. Mr Kotey stressed that the fraudulent issuance of certificates is not only a safety concern but also an economic issue, as it distorts the market, disadvantages compliant operators, and erodes public trust in the DVLA’s public-private partnership model.
The Buduburam facility forms part of a wider expansion drive that also saw the opening of Ultra Centres at Anyaa and Kasoa. Unlike PVTS facilities, which focus solely on vehicle inspections and test reports, Ultra Centres provide a full suite of DVLA services, including vehicle registration, licensing, and ownership transfers. The new centres are expected to ease congestion at existing offices and improve access to services across the Greater Accra and Central regions.
Mr Kotey also warned vehicle owners to avoid using informal intermediaries, popularly known as “goro boys,” whose involvement often increases costs and undermines transparency. He explained that the DVLA’s expansion strategy is intended to eliminate the need for such middlemen by bringing services closer to the public.
Meanwhile, the Authority is advancing plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled number plates, which will be linked to a central database to enhance vehicle tracking and reduce fraud. The rollout is awaiting Parliamentary approval of amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations, with a nationwide re-registration exercise scheduled from April 2026 to December 2027.
Awutu Senya East MP, Madam Philis Naa Koryoo Okunor, urged DVLA staff to maintain high standards of professionalism, while Ga Central Municipal Chief Executive Emmanuel Adotey Allotey reaffirmed support for the Authority’s expansion agenda.
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