DVLA Clarifies Delinquency Charges On Expired Driver’s Licence Renewals
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has clarified the legal basis for delinquency charges imposed on drivers who fail to renew their licences before expiry, following public concerns over penalties at its service centres.
In a statement dated September 24, 2026, the Authority said it has noted concerns raised by clients whose licences had expired and who were required to pay additional charges upon renewal or replacement.
The DVLA stressed that it is the responsibility of every licence holder to ensure that their driver’s licence remains active at all times, adding that at no point is a driver’s licence supposed to be allowed to expire.
Citing the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (LI 2519), the Authority explained that under Regulation 46(1), a driver’s licence may be renewed at any time within one month before it expires upon payment of the prescribed fee, and such renewal takes effect from the date of expiry.
It added that subregulation 6 of Regulation 46 of LI 2519 provides that a licence is subject to renewal every two years and is to be replaced after six years from the date it was issued.
Subregulation 7 further imposes a duty on the licence holder to personally renew the licence after passing an eye test and providing evidence of training with a certified driver training institution.
Consequently, the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (LI 2512) spell out penalties in the form of delinquency charges for holders who fail to renew before expiry.
Per the categorisation, delinquency for non-renewal of one sticker is GHc52.00; for two stickers, GHc104.00; driver licence renewal between 7 and 12 months after expiry attracts GHc75.00; renewal above one year to two years attracts GHc111.00, and renewal above two years attracts GHc148.00.
The Authority urged its clients to ensure timely renewal of their licences to avoid the payment of penalties.
To ensure licence holders are informed, the DVLA said it sends alert SMS notifications to holders through phone numbers provided during the application process on two occasions: a month before expiry and two weeks before expiry.
“DVLA remains committed to upholding the highest driver standards, and expects holders of licences to abide by the responsibilities holding a driver’s licence comes with,” the statement said.
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