In Ghana, a private car needs a valid roadworthiness certificate, shown as a sticker, and the Road Traffic Regulations (L.I. 2180) set its validity at twelve months from the date of issue. Commercial vehicles get six months. You get the certificate by taking the car, with its registration papers, to a designated private vehicle testing station that inspects it and issues the sticker if it passes. Official fee figures are hard to find, so confirm the price before you go.
What the certificate is and why it matters
The roadworthiness certificate, which the regulations call a road use certificate, is proof that an inspector has looked at your vehicle's safety-critical parts and judged it fit for the road. It is separate from your driver's licence and separate from insurance, although officers who stop you may ask for all three. Our page on Ghana road rules and traffic fines covers what officers can ask to see.
Many new drivers focus on the licence and forget the car's own paperwork. A licence shows you are allowed to drive; the certificate shows the vehicle is allowed on the road. Both can be checked in one stop.
How long it lasts
| Vehicle type | Validity from date of issue |
|---|---|
| Private motor vehicle | 12 months |
| Commercial vehicle | 6 months |
These periods come from the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180). The Ministry of Transport has held consultations on reviewing that instrument, and some of its provisions have been described as not yet implemented, so check with DVLA whether anything has changed since you last renewed.
Where the inspection happens
DVLA's services page describes the process this way: the owner presents the vehicle and its registration certificate at a designated private vehicle testing station, and the sticker is issued after a satisfactory inspection. DVLA publishes the official description at dvla.gov.gh/services.
In practice, that means you are dealing with a private operator licensed to carry out tests, not a government counter. That matters for two reasons. Prices may differ from station to station, and the quality of the inspection depends on the station. In October 2026, Ghanaian media reported that DVLA had sanctioned vehicle testing stations over poor inspections, which is a reminder that a sticker is only as meaningful as the check behind it.
What to bring
- The vehicle itself, driven there under its own power where possible.
- The vehicle registration certificate.
- Your previous roadworthiness certificate, if you have one.
- Valid motor insurance, since many people renew the two together.
- Your driver's licence or other identification, in case the station asks.
Requirements can vary by station, so ask what they want when you call or arrive. The list above is a sensible checklist rather than an official one.
Preparing the car before inspection
A failed inspection costs you time and usually a second visit. A few minutes with the car beforehand helps. Look at the things an inspector can see and test without taking anything apart:
- Lights and indicators. Head, brake, reverse and turn lights should all work, and lenses should not be cracked.
- Tyres. Check tread depth, sidewall cracks, bulges and uneven wear. Look at the spare too.
- Brakes. If the pedal feels soft or the car pulls to one side, get it checked first.
- Windscreen and wipers. You need a clear view of the road, and wipers that actually clear water.
- Horn, mirrors and seatbelts. Simple items that are easy to overlook.
- Leaks and exhaust. Oil or fluid dripping under the car, or a badly damaged exhaust, can be grounds to fail.
The same checks are worth doing before the rains. Our guide to driving in heavy rain and flooded streets in Accra lists the wipers, tyres and brakes that matter most in wet weather.
What it costs
We could not find an official DVLA fee schedule for private-car roadworthiness tests. Secondary websites quote very different ranges, from around GHS 60 to as much as GHS 300, and some say private stations may add a service charge. Treat any single figure with caution. Ask the station for the price before the inspection starts, and keep the receipt. For licence-related charges, which are published, see our driving licence fees page.
When to renew
Put the expiry date in your phone as soon as you get the sticker. One guide says DVLA allows renewal up to a month before expiry, but we could not confirm that from an official source, so ask the station. Renewing a little early is easier than renewing in a hurry after an officer has pointed out that your sticker lapsed. If you handle your licence renewal on a schedule, as described in our licence renewal guide, you can plan the car's renewal in the same sitting.
If the car is not being used
The regulations allow an owner whose vehicle will sit unused to apply to the licensing authority to cancel the vehicle registration certificate and obtain a lay-off certificate. Road user charges continue until that certificate is issued, so do not simply park the car and stop renewing. Ask DVLA how the process works for your situation.
Penalties and enforcement
Driving without a valid certificate is an offence, but the fine figures reported by different websites do not agree, and we found no official amount we could confirm. DVLA figures reported by the Daily Graphic indicated that roughly 35 percent of registered vehicles had not renewed their roadworthy certificates as of December 2021, so lapses are common, and so is enforcement of them. The practical risk for a new driver is an avoidable stop, a fine and a car that may be unsafe. Insurance and roadworthiness are usually handled together; see our car insurance guide for new drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a private car need a roadworthiness certificate in Ghana?
Under L.I. 2180, the certificate for a private motor vehicle is valid for twelve months from the date of issue. Commercial vehicles are given six months.
Who issues the roadworthiness sticker?
According to DVLA's services page, you take the vehicle and its registration certificate to a designated private vehicle testing station. The sticker is issued after a satisfactory inspection.
How much does a roadworthy test cost?
We found no official fee schedule. Websites quote widely different amounts, and private stations may charge differently, so ask for the price before the test and keep your receipt.
What happens if my car fails the inspection?
The station should tell you what failed. Fix those items and return for a retest. Ask the station beforehand how it handles retests and whether it charges again.
What if I am not using the car for a while?
The regulations let an owner apply to cancel the vehicle registration certificate and receive a lay-off certificate. Road user charges continue until that certificate is issued, so speak to DVLA before you stop renewing.