75% of Ride-Hailing drivers are using fake licence -DVLA

Julius Neequaye Kotey, Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has rocked the transport industry after revealing that 75% of driver’s licences being used by ride-hailing drivers in Ghana are completely fake. During a public broadcast on Atinka TV’s "Ghana Nie", Kotey revealed the large number of fake licences discovered through the organisation’s specifically designed monitoring system for ride-hailing services. This exposes a huge problem with the vetting process undertaken by ride-hailing transport services throughout the country.

Kotey explains that fake driving licences are a huge setback for all major ride-hailing apps in Ghana. Uber, Bolt and Yango have all been named as some of the most popular apps which drivers have registered for using fake licences. It is worrying to see such a high percentage of drivers using fake licences and questions whether the biometric checks done by such huge companies are effective enough.

The DVLA explained how many drivers receive fake licences. Many drivers pay to receive fake licences by providing a passport photo to unauthorised agents. Many drivers pay for fake licences to be sent to them. The DVLA highlighted that real licences cannot be obtained without physically being present to obtain a biometric scan. This means that if you do not go into an official office to get your licence it will be fake.

The DVLA have taken action to seize some fake licences and are putting them through driving schools. Instead of banning the drivers they are being put through proper driving schools to train them. However, many drivers have fled after the initial checks which meant there are still a lot of drivers on the roads who do not have a licence.

The police currently do not have the equipment to determine whether a licence is fake or not. The DVLA are working quickly to introduce an e-licence system. This means once it is in place the police will be able to quickly check using their phone if a driver is licensed. They can do this by entering a Certificate of Competence number and checking against the national database.

Currently ride-hailing services hold no liability for these drivers but this will soon be changing. The DVLA are introducing a system whereby they will link their database to the ride-hailing apps. This will cost GHS 1 per completed ride. Uber and Bolt have already implemented this system however the remaining 14 tech transport companies in Ghana have been given tight deadlines to implement this or face being prosecuted.

This shows how important it is to increase punishments for those using fake licences. The DVLA have introduced 31 new service centres across the country to help make the process easier. In the future it will be important for tech companies to work with the government to ensure passengers are safe.