Drivers License in Ghana: Types and How To Get Yours

Have you attained the legal age to acquire a drivers license in Ghana? Are you wondering how you can get a driver’s license in Ghana and the criteria you have to satisfy in order to get the license?

Well, stick and stay on this page on depunch.com as we take you through the criteria, processes and other information on how you can legally acquire a drivers license in Ghana.

Obtaining a driver’s license in Ghana requires passing a written test and a road test, as well as meeting certain age and residency requirements.

To apply for a driver’s license, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have a valid national identification card or passport. They must also provide proof of residence and pass a medical examination.

The written test covers Ghana’s traffic laws and regulations, as well as basic driving knowledge. The road test assesses the individual’s ability to operate a vehicle safely and responsibly.

After passing both the written and road tests, individuals must pay a fee to receive their driver’s license. The license is typically valid for five years and must be renewed before it expires.

It is also important to note that there are different types of driver’s license in Ghana, based on the type of vehicle being driven. For example, a separate license is required for operating a motorcycle or commercial vehicle.

Criteria for Acquiring a Driver’s License in Ghana

1. Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
2. Identification: Must have a valid national identification card or passport.
3. Residency: Must provide proof of residence.
4. Medical examination: Must pass a medical examination to ensure they are physically and mentally fit to drive.
5. Written test: Must pass a written test covering Ghana’s traffic laws and regulations as well as basic driving knowledge.
6. Road test: Must pass a road test to assess their ability to operate a vehicle safely and responsibly.
7. Fee: Must pay a fee to receive the driver’s license.
8. Renewal: The license is typically valid for five years and must be renewed before it expires.
9. International Driving Permit (IDP): Non-citizen may be required to obtain an IDP in addition to a Ghanaian driver’s license.

It is important to note that there are different types of driver’s license in Ghana, based on the type of vehicle being driven. For example, a separate license is required for operating a motorcycle or commercial vehicle.

Types of Drivers’ License in Ghana?

In Ghana, there are currently six (6) types of drivers’ licenses. These depend on which sort of vehicle you want to be deployed to.

Below is the list of the various types of Driver’s License in Ghana.

• Class A – Cruisers
• Class B – Minibusses, cross-country vehicle, get vehicles
• Class C – Transports and medium products conveying vehicles
• Class D – Transports, mentors and hefty products vehicles
• Class E – Agrarian, earth-moving, and modern gear
• Class F – Transports, mentors and hefty products conveying vehicles

Driving License Categories in Ghana

Class A

This is the class of permit that has wheel vehicles without gearboxes under them. This is the kind of permits allocated to drivers who use bikes.

Transport and convey riders who make use of cruisers are the ones to get this sort of permit.

Conveyance and dispatch riders who use cruisers ought to apply for this sort/class of permit. Nearby vehicles called “Abobo yaa” additionally fall under this segment.

These vehicles can have up to 250cc or can surpass 250cc in terms of their motor size as long as it is a cruiser.

Class B

This is the type of license offered to drivers of minibusses, cross-country vehicles, and pickups.

Concerning this permit type, the count of passengers it has to contain can not exceed 15. The gross load as well (of this vehicle) as well as the passengers must also not exceed 5000kgs.

Yango, Uber, Bolt, Taxi, as well as other business vehicles which don’t contain up to 15 passengers, is directly under this type of permit. This also includes individual (private) vehicles.

Class C

Transports and medium items passing on vehicle drivers are implored to apply for this sort of license.

Also, the number of passengers in the vehicle must not exceed 45. The weight as well it is 10000kgs or below.

All business vehicles “tro tro” are implored to book this type of license since their vehicle use is of that sort.

Class D

This type of permit is that which is for transports, mentors, and substantial product vehicles.

A type D driver can cruise a vehicle which contains passengers to about 65 with a maximum load of 350000kgs

All intercity mentors for example STC drivers are additionally required to get this type of drivers’ permit.

Class E

In the case when you operate hefty horticultural vehicles, the type E permit is that which is most suitable for you. Since vehicles under this sort of permit include rural, earth moving, and modern gear vehicles.

Vehicles that fall under this form of license include graders, trucks, loaders, rollers, forklifts, and a large group of others.

This sort is more surprising because of the low mechanical and agrarian improvement in Ghana and less number of production lines. 

Class F

Type F is basically like type D. But the difference is that type F drivers drive all vehicles that exceed 35000kgs.

This implies that a driver transports, mentors, and substantial merchandise converting vehicles with weight above 35000kgs.

Such vehicles include articulators and all different sorts of unbending vehicles. An inflexible vehicle can be said that it is a vehicle with its body parts in two sections associated with a turn.

Can a Non-Ghanaian Citizen Apply For A Ghanaian Driver’s License?

A non-Ghanaian citizen can apply for a Ghanaian driver’s license, but there are certain requirements that must be met.

First, the individual must have a valid passport or other form of government-issued identification. They must also provide proof of residence in Ghana, such as a lease agreement or utility bill. Additionally, non-Ghanaian citizens may be required to have a valid work or residence permit, as well as a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is a document that translates your national driver’s license into several languages and is recognized internationally.

Before applying for a driver’s license, non-Ghanaian citizens must pass a medical examination to ensure that they meet the necessary physical and mental requirements for driving. This examination may include a vision test, hearing test, and blood pressure check.

Once the medical examination is completed, the individual must then take and pass both a written test and a road test. The written test will cover Ghana’s traffic laws and regulations, while the road test will evaluate the individual’s driving skills and ability to safely operate a vehicle on Ghana’s roads.

It is important to note that the process of obtaining a driver’s license in Ghana can vary depending on the individual’s country of origin and the type of visa they hold. Some embassies in Ghana may offer assistance in obtaining a Ghanaian driver’s license, but it is best to check with the appropriate authorities to confirm the process.

In Summary

Non-Ghanaian citizen can apply for a Ghanaian driver’s license but they must meet certain requirements such as valid passport or ID, proof of residence, IDP and valid work or residence permit, pass a medical examination and pass both a written and road test. The process may vary depending on the individual’s country of origin and the type of visa they hold, it’s recommended to check with the appropriate authorities to confirm the process.

How to Check Validity of Your Driving License

The DVLA allows citizens to check the status of their driver’s license online, through the use of their license number.

To check the status of a Ghanaian driver’s license, you can visit the official website of the DVLA, www.dvla.gov.gh, and enter the license number in the “Driver License Verification” section. Alternatively, you can visit any of the DVLA offices nationwide and request for a license check. The DVLA also has a mobile app, the DVLA Ghana App, that allows for the same service

It’s important to note that you will need to provide your license number and other personal information to check the status of your driver’s license. You should also ensure that your license is valid and up-to-date, as driving with an expired or invalid license can result in fines or penalties.

Additionally, you can also check the status of your vehicle registration by visiting the DVLA website and entering the registration number in the “Vehicle Registration Verification” section.

In Conclusion

Ghana has different classes of driving license, each corresponding to a specific type of vehicle. Each class has its own requirements and qualifications, and an individual must pass both a written test and a road test specific to the class of license they are applying for. It is important to be familiar with the traffic laws and regulations in Ghana before applying for a license.