By Ahoto John Justice

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has expanded its operations in Tema with the commissioning of a new ultra-modern service centre at the Tema Port, in a move expected to reduce the distance, waiting time and inconvenience faced by motorists, vehicle importers and other port users.

The new facility, commissioned in September 2026, forms part of a broader expansion programme by the Authority aimed at bringing driver and vehicle-related services closer to the public.

For years, motorists and vehicle importers in Tema have had to travel to designated DVLA offices, including the Light Industrial Area, to complete registration, licensing and other processes.

The situation has been particularly inconvenient for vehicle importers whose consignments have arrived at the port and require DVLA-related documentation before the clearance process can be completed.

The new Tema Port facility is expected to address part of that challenge by providing a range of DVLA services within the port enclave.

The development follows the establishment of another DVLA office at Ashaiman, inaugurated in April 2026, as the Authority seeks to reduce pressure on existing centres and respond to growing demand for its services in the Tema-Ashaiman corridor.

Nationwide expansion

The Tema Port centre is part of a nationwide expansion programme under which the DVLA says it has commissioned 30 new offices within the past 18 months.

The Authority currently operates more than 50 service centres across Ghana’s 16 regions, while its Chief Executive Officer, Julius Neequaye Kotey, has recently put the total number of DVLA offices at 62.

According to the Authority, the expansion is intended to make public services more accessible while reducing the need for customers to travel long distances to complete transactions.

Speaking on the expansion programme, Mr Kotey said accessibility was being deliberately prioritised to ensure that Ghanaians could obtain government services closer to their places of work and residence.

He also disclosed plans to reform aspects of the driver’s licensing process, stressing that obtaining a licence should be viewed as a process rather than a one-time event.

Focus on driver competence

Under the current DVLA procedure, first-time applicants are required to obtain a learner’s licence, present a valid Ghana Card, undergo physical and eye examinations and have their biometric information captured.

Applicants must also provide evidence of training from a certified driving institution before taking the required theory and in-traffic driving tests.

Successful applicants are subsequently issued a temporary licence before the full driver’s licence is provided.

Mr Kotey said the Authority was reviewing its licensing materials and procedures to place greater emphasis on drivers’ understanding of road traffic regulations, road signs and their responsibilities as road users.

The DVLA’s mandate extends beyond driver’s licensing to vehicle registration and other regulatory functions intended to support road safety and proper vehicle administration.

Port users to benefit

At Tema Port, the immediate benefit of the new centre is expected to be improved convenience for importers, vehicle owners and other stakeholders.

The facility is designed to provide a range of DVLA services under one roof, potentially reducing repeated journeys between the port and other DVLA offices.

The centre will also handle the registration of excavators at the Tema Port.

The establishment of the facility has received support from the Member of Parliament for Tema East, Isaac Ashai Odamtten, who has been involved in efforts to extend DVLA services to the constituency and port community.

Plans are also reportedly advanced to transform the Tema Port facility into a 24-hour operation, with support from Mr Odamtten and a private investor.

If implemented, the proposed extended operation could be significant for a major port environment where commercial activities frequently continue beyond conventional office hours.

Reducing dependence on middlemen

The DVLA’s expansion also forms part of efforts to reduce the reliance of customers on intermediaries when accessing licensing and vehicle registration services.

Mr Kotey said bringing services closer to customers would help reduce opportunities for middlemen to exploit people seeking DVLA services.

For motorists and businesses operating around Tema Port, the significance of the new facility will ultimately depend on how effectively it reduces waiting times, repeated travel and delays in accessing services.

The development nevertheless marks another step in the DVLA’s ongoing modernisation and decentralisation programme, with the Authority seeking to combine physical expansion with changes in licensing procedures and greater use of technology.

For Tema’s motorists, vehicle owners and port users, the new centre brings DVLA services closer to one of Ghana’s busiest commercial gateways and could make vehicle registration and licensing-related processes more convenient.