The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has urged drivers of commercially registered vehicles to obtain the Assembly’s commercial driver’s licence to avoid problems during enforcement exercises.
The reminder follows what the Assembly describes as persistent confusion among motorists and enforcement officers over the difference between a commercial driver’s licence and the vehicle sticker required for certain commercial activities.
AMA Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, explained that under the AMA (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) By-laws, 2017, drivers of vehicles with yellow registration plates must obtain a commercial driver’s licence from the Assembly in addition to the appropriate licence issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
He said the commercial driver’s licence is issued to the driver rather than the vehicle and must be carried while undertaking commercial transport activities. The card costs GH¢60 for new applicants and GH¢23 for annual renewal.
Mr Ankrah clarified that the licence is separate from the vehicle sticker displayed on the windscreen, which is subject to applicable permit requirements. He stressed that having a vehicle sticker does not automatically mean a driver must obtain a commercial driver’s licence.
He added that even vehicles with white number plates may be subject to sticker requirements when they are used to transport goods or carry out activities covered by the Assembly’s permit arrangements.
The AMA said authorised enforcement officers may inspect commercial drivers’ licences, while its transport enforcement task force can also check vehicles for the required stickers and licences.
Mr Ankrah urged commercial drivers within the AMA’s jurisdiction to keep their licences valid and carry them whenever they are engaged in commercial transport activities, saying improved public education and consistent enforcement should help reduce confusion and increase compliance.
