Appiah Adomako writes: Why DVLA must stop treating every expired licence holder as delinquent

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has come under scrutiny for its approach to charging individuals for late renewal and replacement of driver's licences. CUTS argues that simply holding an expired licence is not automatically a crime; it only becomes an offence when someone drives with an expired licence, as per Regulation 46(8) of the Road Traffic Regulations 2026 LI 2519.

The DVLA recently released a clarification stating that the responsibility for holding a valid driver's licence is to keep it active at all times, and it should not be allowed to expire under any circumstances. However, this statement fails to consider situations where a person cannot renew their licence on time or has no reason to drive.

Many professionals in Ghana, including pharmacists, surveyors, doctors, lawyers, architects, dentists, and others, may have expired professional practice licences and have not renewed them because they do not intend to practice. This explains why professional bodies also publish "members in good standing."

The issue extends beyond professionals, as the following 10 situations demonstrate:

1. A Member of Parliament who loses re-election and can no longer afford a chauffeur may drive again, leading to a delinquency charge.

2. A Ghanaian police officer serving on a UN mission abroad may face a charge upon returning to Ghana.

3. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs officer stationed abroad for four years may encounter the same issue.

4. A Ghanaian Pentecostal pastor assigned to a mission in Australia for five years may also be labelled "delinquent" upon returning home.

5. A pregnant woman advised by her doctor not to drive may face charges for the period she followed medical advice.

6. A person traveling abroad for a six-month holiday may be charged when his licence expires during the trip.

7. An individual suffering a stroke and unable to drive for six years may face charges upon his recovery.

8. A journalist at Citi FM or Joy FM who receives a scholarship to study abroad may face a delinquency charge upon his return.

9. Ghanaians living in the US or UK who keep a Ghanaian licence for visits home may be charged upon their return.

10. An applicant who applies for renewal in Ghana during a period of overseas travel may receive a delinquency charge for the time spent away.

These examples illustrate the troubling nature of DVLA's delinquency charges when delays are caused by the authority itself. An applicant is deemed delinquent even when following DVLA's instructions, renewing temporary licences, and waiting years for the permanent card to be processed. One applicant spent over four years paying delinquency charges and extending temporary licences while awaiting the final card.

The question remains: how does an applicant become delinquent while adhering to DVLA's instructions, leading to a four-year wait for a licence?