The Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced the upcoming implementation of a new system that will require video evidence for all vehicle inspections conducted at Private Vehicle Testing Stations (PVTS).
Chief Executive Officer, Neequaye Kotey, made the announcement while addressing public concerns regarding the issuance of roadworthiness certificates to vehicles in visibly poor or “deplorable” condition.
Mr. Kotey clarified the agency’s current process, stating that the DVLA issues roadworthiness certificates solely based on the recommendation provided by the PVTS facilities.
He emphasised that the PVTS are legally mandated to conduct thorough inspections to confirm a vehicle’s roadworthiness before the DVLA issues the final certificate.
Speaking in a recent interview on the ‘Frontline’ program on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the CEO noted that the DVLA staff responsible for issuing the final certificate, who are stationed at the various PVTS sites, often do not physically inspect the vehicles themselves.
“Technically, the DVLA does not issue roadworthiness to old cars. It is the PVTS that does, but they have branded their officers, making it look as if these facilities are DVLA offices,” Mr. Kotey explained. “That is what I inherited, and I have had a meeting with them to deal with that issue.”
He then detailed the regulatory body’s new measure: “We are supposed to regulate them, and so we have introduced a new system. Their activities would now be camera-based. Every car issued with a roadworthiness certificate would have to be captured on video and sent to our command centre at the head office.”
When asked about the presence of DVLA representatives at the PVTS, he confirmed their deployment but stated that they are prohibited from interfering with the facilities’ inspection process. Their role, he reiterated, is restricted to issuing the roadworthiness certificate based only on the PVTS recommendation.
Proposal to Address ‘Rickety’ Vehicles
Meanwhile, Mr. Kotey has appealed to the government to grant the DVLA enhanced powers to effectively deal with the issue of “rickety” or unroadworthy vehicles.
He outlined a proposal to establish a mechanism where certified mechanics could repair these vehicles, with the cost partially subsidized by the government and the remaining portion borne by the vehicle owner.
“We need to save lives,” he asserted, describing the proposal as a long-term goal. “That is the next proposal, but we will talk about it next year.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
