DVLA registers 7,700 excavators to improve vehicle tracking

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has successfully registered more than 7,700 excavators across the country as part of a strategic initiative to enhance vehicle verification and monitoring. This exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Minerals Commission, is designed to track the movement of heavy machinery and ensure all such equipment is properly documented within the national database. The initiative reflects a broader effort to streamline the oversight of machinery used in the extractive and construction sectors.

Chief Executive of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, explained that the registration drive aims to address long-standing challenges in monitoring heavy equipment, which has historically been difficult to track. By creating a comprehensive registry, the authority can now monitor excavator movements more effectively, helping to prevent the use of unregistered machinery in unauthorized activities. This collaborative framework ensures that both the DVLA and the Minerals Commission have real-time data on the deployment of these assets.

Parallel to the excavator registration, the DVLA has intensified its enforcement against customs irregularities to protect national revenue. The authority recently impounded 357 vehicles suspected of having evaded customs duties or being involved in vehicle cloning schemes. To bolster these efforts, the DVLA has introduced on-board diagnostic (OBD) devices. These electronic tools allow officials to verify vehicle identification numbers (VINs) instantly, significantly reducing the possibility of registering improperly cleared or cloned vehicles.

The 357 impounded vehicles have been handed over to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for further investigation and to ensure that all outstanding taxes and duties are recovered. Mr. Kotey emphasized that these measures are part of a continuous effort to improve the integrity of the national vehicle registry and enhance public safety. The ongoing cooperation between the DVLA, the Minerals Commission, and the GRA highlights a multi-agency approach to strengthening law enforcement and revenue collection within Ghana's transport sector.