The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is set to discontinue the handwritten issuance of international driving permits as part of a sweeping modernisation of its licensing services, Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey has announced.
Speaking at the commissioning of the DVLA Ultra Centre at the Tema Port on Friday, September 18, 2026, Mr Kotey said international driving permits and related documents would instead be generated and printed directly from the Authority’s system, allowing for electronic verification by authorities in foreign countries.
“The international driving licences and international permits will no longer be handwritten. Previously, people would write them and collect them manually. Now, the documents are printed directly from the system and can be electronically verified by the relevant authorities in foreign countries,” he said.
The change is part of broader measures to digitise DVLA services and improve the integrity and verification of documents issued by the Authority, Mr Kotey added.
Decades of Rejection Abroad Prompt Overhaul
The shift away from handwritten permits addresses a long-standing grievance among Ghanaian drivers travelling abroad. Ghanaians have repeatedly complained that their International Driver’s Licences (IDLs) and International Vehicle Permits (IVPs) are rejected in some foreign countries, despite Ghana being a signatory to the UN Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
The DVLA announced in October 2025 that it would introduce biometric international driver’s licences and vehicle permits from 2026, with Mr Kotey explaining at the time that the upgrade was designed to address these rejections. The new documents will feature a bio-data page meeting International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) specifications, embedded digital security features, and machine-readable elements to prevent forgery and ensure smooth authentication abroad.
“As a signatory to the UN’s Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, the DVLA is addressing challenges faced by Ghanaian drivers whose current International Driver’s Licences and International Vehicle Permits have occasionally been rejected by some foreign countries,” Mr Kotey said.
The rollout of the biometric documents is expected to begin at DVLA offices nationwide in 2026, with public sensitisation campaigns to precede implementation.
A Broader Digital Transformation
The end of handwritten permits is the latest in a series of digital reforms being pursued by the DVLA under Mr Kotey’s leadership. In December 2025, the Authority announced plans to roll out digitised accident reports, a fully securitised digital vehicle number plate system, and expanded 24-hour service operations from January 2026.
Deputy Director Kwasi Bona Otuo Serebour said at the time that DVLA officers would no longer write accident reports on loose sheets of paper, with the new digital system designed to ensure accuracy, proper grammar, structure, and secure documentation. A securitised digital vehicle licence plate system, using RFID-compliant plates, was rolled out from April 2026.
The Authority has also introduced an online Vehicle Registration System (VRS) aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays and integrating with the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) databases. Instant printing of driver’s licences at key stations, SMS reminders for licence renewals, and verification systems accessible on Android and iOS devices have also been introduced.
Tema Port Ultra Centre to Serve the Port Community
The newly commissioned Tema Port Ultra Centre, where the announcement was made, is expected to provide a range of driver and vehicle licensing services to motorists and businesses operating in the port and surrounding areas. The facility has also been designated to handle the registration of excavators arriving through the port.
Mr Kotey said the Authority was seeking additional security support to allow the Tema Port facility to operate for extended hours, with 24-hour operations being considered as part of its wider push to support a 24-hour service culture.
The DVLA has been expanding its physical footprint across the country, commissioning Ultra Centres in Accra and Tema, and cutting sod for new office complexes in Techiman and Dunkwa-On-Offin. The Authority has also partnered with VFS Global, a global visa and citizen services provider, to operate Ultra Centres offering premium service experiences, with new applicants able to receive their licences within two weeks.
Multilingual Testing and Improved Access
The DVLA has also rolled out voice-assisted computer testing in local languages, with Twi, Ewe, Hausa, Ga, Nzema, and Dagbani being piloted. The pass rate for the new testing system stands at about 70 per cent, indicating that many people who may have previously avoided testing are now coming forward.
“This is not just about licences. It is about building trust, eliminating barriers, and meeting the people where they are,” said Mr Kafui Semevor, Director of Driver Training, Testing and Licensing.
As the DVLA moves to eliminate handwritten international permits, the reform is expected to strengthen international confidence in Ghanaian-issued driving documents, facilitate smoother mobility for Ghanaians abroad, and enhance document security for both local and global use.
