By Stephen Asante
Accra, Oct. 12, GNA – The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has introduced six Ghanaian languages into its computer-based driving test to improve access for applicants who face language barriers.
The languages are Twi, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani, Nzema and Hausa.
Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey, Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, announced this at the Government Accountability Series in Accra.
He explained that the initiative would enable applicants who could not read or write in English to take the mandatory theory test.
“The translation software allows applicants to take mandatory driving test in the local languages, and intended to reduce language barriers,” he emphasised.
Mr Kotey said the system would allow applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of road signs, traffic regulations and safe driving practices in languages they understood.
He said the Authority intended to introduce more local languages, building on the progress made with the current six.
Mr Kotey also announced the introduction of a short message service (SMS) to remind driving licence holders of their renewal or replacement dates about a month before expiry.
The Authority had also introduced an electronic library system at its offices to enable clients to watch videos on tamper-proof digital stickers, he said.
On vehicle registration, Mr Kotey said the introduction of On-board Diagnostics (OBD-II) scanners had strengthened efforts to verify vehicles and combat fraud in the registration system.
He said the scanners were designed to detect vehicles imported through unapproved channels and fitted with illegally cloned Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) belonging to legitimately registered vehicles.
“These vehicles are impounded and handed over to Customs to charge the appropriate taxes before they can be registered, he stated.
As of October 9, 2026, the DVLA had impounded 357 vehicles and transferred them to the Ghana Revenue Authority for the appropriate tax processes, Mr Kotey said.
He also outlined other initiatives, including a 24-hour printing scheme, office expansion, service-level agreement costs, the registration of excavators at the ports and digital reforms.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Stephen Asante
[email protected]