New number plates, tracking systems to be rolled out January 1-DVLA

Ghana’s Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is rolling out sweeping reforms to modernize vehicle registration, tighten accountability, and strengthen the traceability of cars entering the transport system.

DVLA Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey, speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 19, said the reforms will include the introduction of advanced tracking systems, a restructuring of number plates, and stricter rules on registration timelines.

At the heart of the changes is the new Dealer’s Permit (DP) sticker, which Mr. Kotey said allows the DVLA to monitor vehicles from the port into circulation.

He criticized the old system that allowed untraceable vehicles, noting that the new regime ensures every car is linked to a verifiable owner from the moment it lands in Ghana.

Car dealers will now be required to use official DV stickers for vehicles kept in garages, while private buyers must register their cars within two weeks of purchase. Using DV plates outside permitted circumstances, such as transporting a car to a workshop, will be deemed a violation.

Mr. Kotey revealed that the Authority is weighing the introduction of a special number plate for individuals who fail to register within the mandatory two-week period. Such plates, he warned, would come at a “very expensive” cost to serve as a deterrent.

Beginning January 1, 2026, number plates will undergo a major redesign. Instead of ending with the year of manufacture, plates will feature a regional code at the top and an area code at the end.

“For example, a plate will read GR 222 AD, with AD standing for Adenta. All the legal groundwork is complete, and we intend to launch this officially at the start of next year,” Mr. Kotey said.

The DVLA believes these reforms will streamline registration, reduce fraud, and bring Ghana’s vehicle identification system in line with international best practices.