The New Smart Drivers’ License will be launched today, Tuesday, 7th November 2017.
After the launch, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will issue smart drivers’ licenses across the country.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will launch the new Smart Drivers’ License that has been touted to be among the most secured in the world.
Deputy CEO of the Authority, Kwame Appiah Kubi who spoke to Citi Business News ahead of the launch expressed optimism that the introduction of the new system will among other things reduce revenue leakages normally associated with the application of drivers’ licenses
“We have to digitize. Which is also part of government’s target that we remove the human interface from the system. It’s there that this issue of “gorro” boys” will be removed, he said.
“Dwindling revenue is also going to be improved, that is why management came out with this policy of digitizing almost all our services so that it will be easier for people to access our services,” he added.
The new digital card will fast-track the acquisition of new drivers’ licenses as applicants will now be able to obtain it within two to four weeks of application.
The digital drivers’ license is part of government’s target to remove the human interface from the process of issuing new licenses.
Middlemen, popularly called “gorro boys” have been blamed for making the acquisition of new licenses a chaotic process.
The smart drivers’ license has a contactless chip to promote good storage of bio-data and personal driver information.
It will also make use of the latest technology for secure ID printing that can be easily integrated with other systems of the DVLA.
Benefits of new Smart Card.
It is expected to enhance the vehicle registration process because application and processing could be done online.
It simplifies the transfer of ownership of motor vehicles registered in another jurisdiction and eliminates to compose transfer letter(s).
It enables frontline officers of the Authority to determine the information of vehicle owners during the registration process in cases where vehicles were previously registered in another jurisdiction.
Acquiring the new drivers’ license will attract an additional Gh₵91 separate from the present charges on all other services including replacement (Gh₵64 + Gh₵91 = Gh₵155), new license (Gh₵166 +Gh₵91 = Gh₵257) and transferring a foreign license to Ghanaian one (Gh₵364 + Gh₵91 = Gh₵445).
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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
