Ministry of Transportation Revising Laws on Commercial Use of Motorcycles and Tricycles

The Ministry of Transportation’s second in command, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, revealed that the ministry is taking steps towards revising Legislative Instrument 2180. This revision is intended to lay out a comprehensive set of rules regulating the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles for passenger transport services. Currently, the use of these vehicles for such purposes is prohibited by Regulation 128 under the Road Traffic Regulations of 2012, otherwise known as LI 2180. However, the ministry is changing course with the intention of enhancing regulations and governance in this area.

The current regulations stipulate that a motorcycle or tricycle cannot be registered with the Licensing Authority for the purpose of carrying fare-paying passengers. It also disallows the use of such vehicles for commercial gain with the only exception being courier and delivery services. However, according to the Deputy Minister’s statement at the Drivers and Vehicles License Authority (DVLA) mid-year performance review conference, the Ministry aims to revise these rules.

While addressing attendees at the DVLA 2025 mid-year performance review conference, located near Ejisu at Akyawkrom, Minister Affo-Toffey detailed some aspects of the Ministry’s strategy. The reforms will include requiring the DVLA to issue commercial driving and riding licenses, and also necessitate formal training for applicants. This is a crucial element of the revised regulations that will not be compromised.

Part of the proposed updated policies is to provide agencies under the Ministry with the necessary governance and regulatory frameworks to execute their responsibilities optimally. As a part of these changes, the DVLA will be responsible for defining the operational procedures for the training of commercial riders and drivers.

The review conference was an opportunity to evaluate the progress made by the various DVLA departments during the first half of the year. Participants also had the chance to reflect on the organization’s achievements, overcome obstacles, and recalibrate strategies to ensure that DVLA remains innovative, well-equipped, and resilient in delivering its mandate.

The conference, under the theme ‘Resetting DVLA for an Efficient 24-Hour Operations’, aimed to carve a clear direction for DVLA management for the remainder of 2025. The idea was also to brainstorm strategies to streamline DVLA operations around the clock, which is poised to be a first of its kind.

Affo-Toffey, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for the Jomoro Constituency, implored participants not to hold back in their pursuit of continual improvement for DVLA services. As industry professionals and experts, they bear the responsibility to ensure the services they provide are beneficial to all stakeholders, she added.

She further emphasized the vital role of the DVLA in guaranteeing that vehicles are roadworthy and their operators are duly qualified. For this reason, it’s crucial for DVLA to bolster its cooperative efforts with the National Road Safety Authority, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Services, and all other stakeholders in the road environment.

The Deputy Minister called on DVLA to align its strategies with the government’s Resetting Agenda and glean inspiration from it. She stressed that such alignment would improve the chances of achieving set goals and objectives.

Institutionalizing operational efficiency is on top of DVLA’s priority list. This includes clearing the backlog of licensing applications, some of which have been pending since the start of 2024. This commitment to efficiency reflects DVLA’s dedication to providing top-notch service.

As part of this initiative, DVLA has started operating around-the-clock at its print farm to expedite the processing of a significant number of license applications. By sticking to this schedule, the DVLA is bringing to reality the plan of operating 24 hours a day. This initiative has come into effect with the Adentan office starting to operate non-stop.

The DVLA is making strides in becoming a world-class organization that provides integral services with integrity, efficiency, and transparency, based on international standards for licensing drivers and vehicles. Striving for excellence has always been inherent in DVLA’s ethos.

The DVLA has metamorphosed from an organization that struggled with operational issues to a leading governmental body known for its commitment to service excellence. They have also played a pioneering role in infusing innovation into the public sector processes.

The ongoing assessment of DVLA is not just about evaluating past achievements. It’s also about laying the groundwork for a brighter future, making significant strides in the rollout of a 24-hour economy, and achieving formalization of Okada, Pragya, and Aboboya for commercial use.

Moving forward, while acknowledging its past successes, the DVLA has big plans. These include rolling out initiatives for round-the-clock operations and formalizing certain services which, once implemented, will not only enhance operational efficiency but also benefit the public at large.