Over 2000 drivers applied for new drivers licence in Koforidua

Koforidua, April 8, GNA - Provisional figures released by the Eastern Regional Secretariat of the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Authority(DVLA) at Koforidua, indicated that over 2,000 drivers in the region applied for the new drivers license as at the end of March, this year.

This was disclosed by the Regional Manager of DVLA, Rev. Oduro Twum, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Koforidua on Thursday. He said on the last day of the exercise, 860 motorists applied to the secretariat and because of the large number of people involved, the secretariat had to collect the forms and particulars of the applicants for gradual processing so that nobody could complain that they have been denied the opportunity to change their driver's licence.

Rev. Twum said the exercise had enabled the secretariat to detect a large number of fake driving licences in the system and urged the owners of those licences to re-apply for testing and acquisition of new driver's licences.

He could, however, not give the exact figure of the seized fake licence.

Rev. Twum said the new drivers' licence had been categorised and for each category, the applicant would need to be tested.

He cited, for example, that there is licence "A" for motor-cycle riders, licence "B1" for drivers of salon cars, small buses and pick-ups up to 2,950 kilogramme weight.

Rev. Twum said an applicant had to use licence "B1" for two years before the one could apply and undergo testing to be given licence "B2" which would qualify the motorist to drive a taxi or hiring car.

After four years continuous driving, he said, one could apply for the licence "C" and after passing the test, the applicant could drive vehicles from 2950 kg to 5500 kg and would enable the driver to drive either buses, coaches or goods carrying vehicles.

To qualify for licence "D", Rev. Twum said one must drive for six years before applying to be able to drive vehicles up to 8,000 kg, including articulators, omnibuses and goods carrying vehicles.

He said for one to drive heavy duty vehicles like carterpillars, tractors, rollers , bulldozers and folklift, the applicant should have driving experience of eight years, a letter of recommendation and pass a specific examination.

Rev. Twum urged Ghanaians to accept the new driving licence grading system because "Ghana needs to catch up with the international standard for Ghanaian drivers."