Drivers demand suspension of DVLA delinquency fees, action against police extortion

The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (CDAG) has called for President John Mahama and Interior Minister Mubarak Muntaka to step in over what it calls excessive DVLA fees and unlawful police extortion targeting commercial drivers. In a statement released on August 18, 2026, CDAG highlighted the heavy financial strain faced by commercial drivers due to rising fuel costs and the rising expenses associated with maintaining vehicle documentation through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

CDAG expressed concern over the increasing "delinquency charges" imposed on drivers seeking to renew their licences and roadworthiness certificates after their expiry dates. They argue that the system unfairly presumes that every driver with an expired document was operating illegally during the expiry period, despite possible valid reasons such as drivers being abroad, vehicles being off the road for repairs, or financial constraints.

CDAG argues that these escalating fees can double or triple the renewal cost depending on how long the document remained expired, thereby adding an undue burden to commercial drivers. In addition to the DVLA fees, CDAG accuses some Ghana Police Service personnel, particularly those in the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), of engaging in regular extortion at major roads.

The group claims that checkpoints and specific road routes have become "collection points" where drivers are pressured to pay spot fines for minor traffic violations or expired documents, with threats of vehicle impoundment or arrest for those who fail to pay. "Commercial drivers are now spending nearly half of our revenue on police extortion," CDAG alleges.

Consequently, the association is demanding the immediate suspension of automatic DVLA delinquency penalties for late renewals of driving licences and roadworthiness certificates. The association also seeks the government to revert DVLA fees to approved statutory rates while addressing the broader concerns over this penalty system.

CDAG is also urging the Interior Minister and the Inspector-General of Police to implement stricter anti-corruption monitoring along major roads to combat alleged extortion. The association asserts that commercial drivers are crucial in transporting people, food, and goods across Ghana and should not be treated as revenue sources by governmental institutions.

Furthermore, CDAG noted their cooperation with the government by canceling a proposed 30 percent increase in transport fares following the government's appeal for a one-month grace period, urging commercial drivers to maintain the suspension of any fare increase until the grace period ends. The association requested that the government reciprocate by addressing the financial and operational issues faced by these drivers.