Types of Driver’s license and their meanings
Types of Driver’s License
If you plan to drive in Ghana, you need to have a valid driver’s license issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). In this article, we will take a closer look at the various types of driver’s licenses issued by the DVLA in Ghana.
Qualification for A Driver’s License in Ghana
Before applying for a driver’s license, there are certain requirements you must meet. These include:
You must be over 18 years
You must have at least a Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) or be able to read and write
You must have a VISA photograph
You must have undergone a maximum of 48 hours of training from a DVLA certified driving school
Types of Driver’s License in Ghana
Currently, there are six types of driver’s licenses issued by the DVLA in Ghana. The type of license you will be issued with depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive. These include:
Type A – Motorcycles
Type B – Minibusses, Cross-country vehicles, and Pickups
Type C – Buses and Medium Goods Carrying Vehicles
Type D – Buses, Coaches, and Heavy Goods Vehicles
Type E – Agricultural, Earth-moving, and Industrial Equipment
Type F – All vehicles exceeding 35000kgs
Meaning of Each Type of Driver’s License
Type A – This type of license is issued to drivers of wheel vehicles without gearboxes, such as motorcycles. It is also issued to dispatch and delivery riders who use motorcycles.
Type B – Drivers of minibusses, cross-country vehicles, pickups, and other commercial vehicles with a seating capacity of up to 15 passengers fall under this category.
Type C – This type of license is for drivers of buses and medium goods carrying vehicles, with a seating capacity of up to 45 passengers and a gross weight of 10000kgs or below.
Type D – Drivers of buses, coaches, and heavy goods vehicles with a seating capacity of up to 65 passengers and a maximum load of 350000kgs are issued with this type of license.
Type E – This license is for drivers of heavy agricultural vehicles such as graders, trucks, loaders, rollers, forklifts, and other industrial equipment.
Type F – This license is for drivers of all vehicles exceeding 35000kgs, including articulators and all types of rigid vehicles.
How Can a Non-Ghanaian Citizen Apply for a Ghanaian Driver’s License?
Non-Ghanaian citizens can apply for a Ghanaian driver’s license. However, they must have a valid driver’s license from their home country and follow all the necessary steps to obtain a Ghanaian driver’s license.
Conclusion
It is essential to know the correct type of driver’s license you need to operate a particular vehicle in Ghana. Using a license that does not match the type of vehicle you are driving is a crime and is punishable by law. Therefore, it is essential to follow the guidelines provided by the DVLA and obtain the correct driver’s license for your vehicle.
