The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) says it has seized about 200 cloned vehicles within a month and half period following the deployment of vehicle cloning detection technology designed to verify chassis numbers directly with manufacturers.
The DVLA Chief Executive, Julius Neequaye, Kotey said the technology has enabled the Authority to detect vehicles whose Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) have been fraudulently cloned from legitimately imported vehicles.
“We’ve seized about 200 cars. What they do is that they have a way of getting correct custom documents, bring that same type of car from no-brake countries, no pay duty, claim the chassis permits according to the actual one then they come to DVLA first to register. When the actual owner now comes in, it becomes problematic. So, we brought the cloning detectives. It gives us the accurate chassis number from the manufacturer and we’ve arrested close to 200 cars within one month already.” The CEO said
According to him, vehicle cloning syndicates obtain genuine customs documentation and use chassis numbers belonging to legitimate vehicles to register similar vehicles that may have been imported through unapproved channels or without the appropriate duties being paid.
He said the newly introduced cloning detection technology allows the DVLA to verify the authenticity of chassis numbers directly with vehicle manufacturers, helping to identify cloned vehicles before they are improperly registered.
The DVLA has introduced clone detection machines, including OBD-II scanners, as part of measures to strengthen vehicle registration and protect the integrity of Ghana’s national vehicle register.
The machines are expected to improve the verification of vehicle identification numbers, detect fraudulent registrations and enhance vehicle security.
The Authority says the technology will particularly help identify vehicles imported through unapproved channels that illegally clone the VINs of legitimate vehicles awaiting registration.
Such cloning, the DVLA noted, has in some instances resulted in genuine vehicle owners being wrongly flagged because their vehicle identification numbers had already been used to register another vehicle.
Biometric international driving licences
Mr. Neequaye also announced plans to introduce biometric international driving licences that can be verified internationally.
He said the DVLA was upgrading its vehicle registration and licensing systems to improve efficiency and reduce delays in accessing its services.
The Authority also plans to decentralise the printing of driving licences, with DVLA offices expected to eventually print licences locally instead of relying on a centralised printing system.
Mr. Neequaye said the DVLA was also expanding its cashless payment system to minimise cash transactions, improve transparency and make services more efficient.
He disclosed this when the DVLA, in partnership with the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman and Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, commissioned the first-ever DVLA office in the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region.
The new office forms part of efforts to decentralise DVLA services and bring vehicle registration, driver licensing and related services closer to residents.
The Asuogyaman office is the 25th of 40 new district DVLA offices being established across the country, with the Authority targeting completion of all 40 offices by the end of 2026.
The expansion is expected to reduce the distance residents have to travel to access DVLA services while improving the Authority’s ability to monitor and regulate vehicles and drivers across the country.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
