The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has started phasing out all Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) card driver’s licence, which were issued before September, 2017.
These old PVC cards would be replaced with the smart card driver’s licence, which has enhanced security features in line with Regulation 33(7) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.1 2180).
A statement issued by the Authority in Accra yesterday, asked all holders of the PVC card driver’s licences to submit them to the nearest DVLA office for verification and replacement for the smart card driver’s licence.
“This exercise takes effect from now till March 31, 2024, after which all PVC card driver’s licence shall be rendered invalid by the Authority. This exercise is at no additional cost to the holder.
“Holders of the PVC card driver’s licences who fail to replace their licences within the specified period will have to reapply and undergo all required tests to obtain a new driver’s licence,” it said.
On requirements for replacing driver’s licences, the statement said applicant must undergo and pass a mandatory eye test at any DVLA accredited eye test centre, before presenting the driver’s licence in person to the nearest DVLA office for replacement.
“The Authority takes this opportunity to remind all holders of the smart card driver’s licence to check the renewal dates behind their licences and have them renewed when they are due. You can renew your driver’s licence a month ahead of its expiry,” it said.
In 2017, the DVLA launched a new driver’s licence and a new vehicle registration smart cards.
The new licence, also a smart card, contains a chip loaded with the owner’s bio-data and the driver’s personal information.
The introduction of the two was with opposition from some driver unions and groups the authority suspects to be middlemen.
That notwithstanding, the DVLA was optimistic that the launch would do away with fake licences and vehicles with fake roadworthy certificates from the system, as well as cut out middlemen, popularly known as ‘goro boys’, from the licensing regime.
BY TIMES REPORTER
