The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) reports that over 90% of tricycles, commonly referred to as aboboyaa, operating in Accra lack side mirrors, which raises concerns regarding their roadworthiness and adherence to fundamental safety standards.
Stephen Attu, a representative from the DVLA, made this statement during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, while discussing the regulation of tricycles.
“Based on my observations, I can confirm that more than 90% of them do not have mirrors,” he stated, adding, “I would not contest that.”
However, Mr. Attu mentioned that tricycles are required to undergo roadworthiness inspections, similar to other vehicles, and must meet minimum safety criteria before being allowed to operate on public roads.
He explained that the DVLA’s technical personnel assess tricycles for essential safety features, such as operational headlamps and adequate tyres.
“They must also have headlamps; they must have good tyres as well. They need to be in excellent condition to operate on our roads,” he emphasised.
When questioned about the DVLA’s authority to remove unroadworthy tricycles from the roads, Mr. Attu stated that the Authority carries out compliance checks but collaborates with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service when arrests are necessary.
“In order to effect an arrest, it must be done in partnership with the MTTD,” he explained.
Mr. Attu also recognised the difficulties in monitoring the compliance of motorcycles and tricycles, especially since many were registered manually under the previous system.
He noted that the DVLA is implementing reforms to enhance monitoring and enforcement, which includes the launch of a new registration system and smart number plates equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
He stated that these reforms are anticipated to bolster the Authority’s capacity to track vehicles and enforce road safety regulations.
