The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has promised to step up its efforts to stop the use of fake driver’s licences and the activities of illegal middlemen, popularly known as “goro boys”.
This follows concerns about fake licences among drivers working with ride-hailing companies.
The Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, told Citi News that the authority’s checks showed that about 75% of the licences used by drivers on ride-hailing platforms were fake.
Speaking after the opening of the authority’s second ultra centre in Kasoa and a new office in Bawjiase, Mr Kotey said the situation was worrying.
He added that the DVLA was working to make its legal licensing services easier for people to access.
“One other concern is that 75% of the licences used by ride-hailing drivers operating on platforms such as Uber, Bolt and Yango are fake, according to our checks. You can imagine the challenges we are dealing with. We now have to take them through the process of obtaining valid and improved licences. So, do not fall prey to these individuals.
“DVLA is committed to bringing accessible, efficient and customer-focused services closer to the people,” he said.
Mr Kotey said the authority was opening more offices and service centres to reduce people’s dependence on unauthorised middlemen and help stop the use of fake licences.
He said 31 new centres had been added to the 33 that were already in place before he became the Chief Executive Officer.
He urged drivers and the public to be careful of people who pretend to be DVLA officials or claim they can issue driver’s licences.
At the opening ceremony, the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, called on the DVLA to introduce a system that would allow applicants to pay their licence fees in instalments.
She also urged workers at the newly opened centres to increase road safety education for drivers and riders in the area.
