The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), over 90% of tricycles, also referred to as aboboyaa, that are used in Accra lack side mirrors, which raises questions about their roadworthiness and adherence to fundamental safety regulations.
In a segment on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, Stephen Attu, a DVLA spokesman, revealed this during a conversation on tricycle regulations.
He added, “I can tell you based on observation that over 90% of them don’t even have mirrors. I wouldn’t dispute that.”
However, Mr. Attu stated that before being allowed to drive on public highways, tricycles must pass minimal safety requirements and be subject to roadworthiness tests, much like other vehicles.
According to him, the DVLA’s technical inspectors check tricycles for vital safety components including excellent tires and working headlights.
“They equally need to have headlamps; they equally need to have good tyres under them. They must be in pristine condition to be able to function on our roads,” he stated.
Mr. Attu responded that the DVLA performs compliance drills but collaborates with the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) when arrests are necessary when asked if the Authority had the power to remove unroadworthy tricycles off the roads.
“What we do is that in order to be able to cause an arrest, you have to do that in collaboration with the MTTD,” he stated.
Mr. Attu also acknowledged the difficulties in keeping an eye on the compliance of tricycles and motorcycles, especially since many of them were manually registered under the prior system.
A new registration system and smart number plates with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology were among the improvements he said the DVLA was implementing to enhance monitoring and enforcement.
According to him, the changes are anticipated to improve the Authority’s capacity to monitor automobiles and enforce traffic safety laws.
Source: newsthemegh.com