Public policy think tank, CUTS International, has challenged the legal basis of fees imposed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) on motorists renewing expired driving licences.

Under the DVLA’s 2026 fee schedule, motorists who renew before expiry pay GH¢127. However, expired licences attract higher charges of GH¢204.25 for up to six months, GH¢279.25 for seven to twelve months.

Also, for up to two years, motorists are charged GH¢315.25, GH¢352.25 for up to four years, and GH¢404.25 for more than four years.

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CUTS has asked Parliament to investigate whether these escalating charges are backed by law.

The Director of the West Africa Regional Centre, Appiah Kusi Adomako, said public institutions must have a clear legal mandate for fees collected.

“The DVLA must show Ghanaians the law, the approved fee schedule and the formula behind every cedi it collects as a delinquency charge. Public power must rest on law,” he stated.

He argued that expired licences do not necessarily mean motorists continued driving illegally, noting that some may have travelled abroad or stopped driving. It warned against automatically treating late renewals as offences without proof.

CUTS cited Regulation 46 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which already provides penalties for failing to renew a licence, including fines or imprisonment upon conviction.

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It questioned whether DVLA’s charges are renewal fees, administrative penalties, or another category of charge, and demanded clarity on the legal authority behind them.

Adomako called on Parliament to urgently investigate the approval process and refund motorists if the DVLA is found to have collected fees without proper legal backing.

DR/SA