The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has emphasised that the responsibility for the commercial deployment of Toyota Voxy vehicles lies entirely with owners, not the Authority.

Addressing concerns over the registration of Toyota Voxy vans for long-distance commercial transport, an operation deemed illegal.

DVLA Public Relations Officer Stephen Attuh explained that the Authority’s role is limited to registering vehicles based on owners’ declarations.

“It is not DVLA that decides whether a vehicle is registered as private or commercial. That decision is made by the vehicle owner at the time of registration,” Attuh said during an interview on Joy News.

Attuh stressed that a yellow licence plate, which denotes commercial registration, does not automatically permit a vehicle to operate across the country.

Many commercial vehicles, such as taxis in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, operate strictly within metropolitan areas despite having yellow plates. He cautioned that owners must understand the limitations of registration status.

“If a vehicle is registered as private but used commercially, the owner is bypassing higher registration and insurance fees, and more importantly, endangering lives,” he said.

The PR officer also expressed concern over vehicles registered as private but later deployed commercially, noting that such practices violate regulations and increase risks to passengers.

He added that DVLA has previously conducted road operations in Kumasi, apprehending operators flouting the rules, with offenders handed over to the police for prosecution.

Attuh further highlighted the unique challenges posed by Toyota Voxy vehicles. As right-hand drive models, many undergo local conversion, but without clearly defined national standards, enforcement remains difficult. Vehicles tested at private inspection centres and declared roadworthy cannot be refused registration by DVLA.

Meanwhile, the Technical Working Committee of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has officially declared the use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial transport illegal, citing serious threats to road safety and human life.

The committee warned that importation and local conversion often occur through unauthorised practitioners, creating significant safety risks for passengers and other road users.

To address these concerns, DVLA is urging the Ministry of Transport to issue clear policy directives to regulate the use of Toyota Voxy vans.

“If there is a policy that restricts certain vehicles or conversions, enforcement can begin from that point,” Attuh stated.

The Authority believes that clear guidelines would prevent the importation of inappropriate vehicles, ensure all conversions meet safety standards, and curb the illegal or unsafe commercial use of Toyota Voxy vans across the country.