The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (CDAG) has issued a formal demand to President Mahama and Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka to address a growing crisis impacting commercial drivers across Ghana. The association highlights a systemic issue of excessive DVLA delinquency fees and widespread police extortion, fundamentally disrupting the economic backbone of the nation’s transportation sector.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, CDAG contends that commercial drivers are facing escalating financial pressure stemming from rising fuel prices, official documentation costs, and increasingly punitive penalties imposed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). The group argues that the current system unfairly assumes that every driver with an expired document was actively operating illegally during its expiry period.
According to the CDAG, the system has instituted penalties that can double or triple renewal costs, creating a significant burden for drivers, particularly those facing immediate vehicle impoundment or arrest.
The association emphasizes that the DVLA’s automatic assumption of illegal operation has created an unfair and punitive system, and it is demanding immediate suspension of automatic DVLA delinquency penalties. The CDAG is calling for the government to revert to approved statutory fees while addressing the broader issue of the penalty system.
The group contends that the DVLA’s routine extortion by police personnel, particularly the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), has become a major problem. Reports detail checkpoints and road corridors being transformed into collection points where drivers are pressured to make spot-cash payments for minor offenses or expired documents. This pressure, the CDAG alleges, is threatening drivers’ livelihoods.
Furthermore, the CDAG claims that the DVLA has unilaterally introduced escalating financial penalties – labeled as ‘delinquency charges’ – for drivers renewing their licenses or vehicle roadworthiness certificates after the expiry date. This has resulted in a significant increase in the financial burden on commercial drivers.
The CDAG’s demand includes urging the government to direct the DVLA to revert to a system of statutory fees, while also addressing the broader systemic issues facing drivers, including the high cost of fuel and the increasing pressure on commercial drivers to comply with DVLA regulations. The association has demonstrated cooperation with government by withholding planned transport fare increases by 30% following a government appeal.
CDAG is also urging commercial drivers to continue suspending any fare increase until the government’s one-month grace period expires.
The association has noted that commercial drivers play a fundamental role in transporting people, goods, and services across Ghana. The CDAG is concerned that the current system unfairly treats commercial drivers as automated cash sources.
The group further points out that the DVLA has historically unfairly targeted drivers.
CDAG has been documenting driver cooperation with the government, including the withholding of planned transport fare increases, to demonstrate goodwill.
The CDAG has also stated that it has worked with the government to ensure that drivers have access to the necessary documentation and procedures for renewal.
CDAG is urging government to exercise a clear show of mutual commitment to the economic goals of Ghana, and is calling for a swift resolution to these issues.
As of today, the CDAG is also urging commercial drivers to hold onto their fares until the government’s one-month grace period expires.
The CDAG is requesting immediate attention and action from the government to address these concerns, ensuring the stability and integrity of the transportation sector and protecting the livelihoods of commercial drivers in Ghana.
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Source: Adom Online
