An Evaluation of The Impact of Public-Private Partnership on Vehicle Inspection in The Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

Failure to increase vehicle inspection facilities in Ghana over the years, coupled with rapid increase in number of vehicles, has resulted in a situation where demand for mandatory vehicle inspection has surpassed the capacity of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) of Ghana. Congestion and long delays are experienced at the vehicle inspection centres. Partnership with Private Vehicle Testing Stations PVTS was started in 2011 to mitigate the shortfall in inspection capacity and increase access. This study examined the impact of the introduction of PVTS on vehicle inspection in the Greater Accra Region, GAR. Data for the study was collected through questionnaires at the PVTS and DVLA, and inspection of a test vehicle at five (5) PVTS in GAR. Results of study show that, though, out-of-pocket fee for actual vehicle inspection increased by 80% after the introduction of the PVTS, a Generalised Vehicle Inspection Cost (GVIC), recorded a 45% reduction in cost for motorists from three communities in GAR. It is concluded that PVTS have increased access to vehicle testing and led to a reduction in the cost of vehicle testing.