Ghana’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has intensified efforts to improve road safety by taking action against private vehicle testing stations accused of issuing roadworthiness approvals without properly inspecting vehicles.
The enforcement drive forms part of broader measures to prevent unsafe and poorly maintained vehicles from operating on the country’s roads.
The move follows concerns that some vehicles displaying valid roadworthy certificates continue to show serious mechanical and structural defects, raising questions about the effectiveness of the country’s vehicle inspection system. Editorial Standards
According to a source and other Ghanaian media outlets, DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey has warned that testing stations that compromise inspection standards risk being shut down.
In April 2026, the DVLA disclosed that it had closed approximately six Private Vehicle Testing Stations (PVTS) over a period of two to three months.
The affected centres were accused of issuing roadworthiness certificates for vehicles that had not undergone the required physical inspections, according to reports by the Ghana News Agency and MyJoyOnline.
The closures highlighted the authority’s determination to hold testing operators accountable for their responsibilities.
Vehicle testing stations play a crucial role in determining whether vehicles meet the minimum safety requirements before they are certified for use on public roads.
Mr Kotey has cautioned operators and staff against practices that undermine the inspection process, stressing that vehicles approved for road use must genuinely meet the required standards.
A certificate should not become a formality issued without proper examination of the vehicle concerned.
The continued presence of visibly deteriorated vehicles on Ghanaian roads has long been a source of concern for commuters, transport operators and road safety advocates.
Some vehicles have worn-out tyres, defective lights, damaged windscreens, faulty brakes, weakened suspension systems or other defects that can increase the risk of crashes and breakdowns.
For passengers who depend on commercial transport, including minibuses and taxis, the condition of a vehicle can directly affect their safety.
A mechanical failure during a journey may endanger not only the driver and passengers but also pedestrians and other motorists sharing the road.
The DVLA’s enforcement measures therefore address a critical part of the road safety chain: ensuring that the certification process accurately reflects a vehicle’s actual condition.
Under Ghana’s vehicle inspection framework, private testing stations operate as important partners in assessing roadworthiness.
The DVLA relies on reports from these facilities when determining whether vehicles qualify for certification.
If an inspection is skipped or carried out inadequately, a vehicle with serious defects could receive approval despite posing a potential danger.
This creates risks beyond individual vehicles. Weak enforcement can undermine public confidence in roadworthy certificates and disadvantage operators who invest time and resources in complying with the rules. Editorial Ethics & Independence
It also places additional pressure on police officers who encounter unsafe vehicles during roadside enforcement operations.
To strengthen oversight, the DVLA has signalled plans to introduce video monitoring at private vehicle testing stations.
In September 2026, Mr Kotey announced that testing centres would be required from 2027 to provide video evidence of inspections, allowing the authority to observe vehicles being examined before roadworthiness certificates are issued.
The proposal is intended to improve accountability and help identify failures in the inspection process.
The success of such measures will depend on effective implementation, reliable monitoring equipment and consistent enforcement against facilities that fail to comply.
Clear procedures for recording inspections and reviewing suspicious approvals could help reduce opportunities for misconduct and make it easier to identify repeated breaches.
Vehicle owners also have an important responsibility. Regular maintenance, prompt repairs and honest presentation of vehicles for inspection can reduce preventable mechanical failures.
Drivers should not assume that possessing a valid roadworthy certificate means every defect can be ignored, particularly when a vehicle develops problems after an inspection.
Transport unions and commercial fleet operators can support these efforts by checking the condition of vehicles before they carry passengers and by discouraging members from operating vehicles with dangerous defects.
Passengers who notice serious safety concerns can also raise them with the relevant authorities.
However, enforcement must be accompanied by public education and a fair, transparent inspection process.
Testing stations should understand the applicable standards, vehicle owners should know what inspections require, and sanctions should be based on documented breaches. Corrections Policy
This approach can help protect road users while ensuring that compliant operators are treated fairly.
Ultimately, the DVLA’s crackdown sends a clear message that roadworthiness certification must represent a genuine safety assessment rather than a routine administrative exercise.
Keeping unsafe vehicles off Ghana’s roads requires more than issuing certificates, it demands thorough inspections, accountable testing stations, responsible vehicle owners and sustained cooperation among road safety institutions.
As the authority strengthens its monitoring system, the priority will be to ensure that every vehicle approved for use meets the required standards.
Effective enforcement could help reduce preventable breakdowns, improve public confidence in vehicle inspections and contribute to safer journeys for everyone using Ghana’s roads.