By Adnan Adams Mohammed
In a major move to modernize road administration and combat vehicle-related crimes, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has officially unveiled its highly anticipated new vehicle number plates.
The innovative plates, embedded with cutting-edge Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tech and distinct anti-counterfeiting features, are being rolled out immediately. To ensure a seamless transition, the authority has launched a massive nationwide onboarding exercise across 51 designated service centers.
The upgrade marks a historic shift in Ghana’s transportation sector, completely phasing out the traditional format that displayed the year of registration. Under the new layout, license plates will display the region of registration at the top, a unique four-digit number in the center, and a specialized zonal code at the end representing the specific DVLA office where the vehicle was registered.
A Death Blow to Smuggling and Fraud
Speaking at the official media unveiling engagement, the Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, emphasized that the introduction of the new plate system is anchored on national security, transparency, and data integrity.
“We are preparing to implement one of the most significant upgrades of Ghana’s vehicle registration system,” Mr. Kotey stated. “These plates will be integrated into a central database, enhancing vehicle traceability, strengthening enforcement, and addressing long-standing challenges such as unregistered and cross-border vehicles.”
Mr. Kotey further elaborated on how the embedded tech protects honest car buyers while shutting down the black market for smuggled automobiles.
“The new plates, which are fitted with RFID technology, will make it virtually impossible to register smuggled or ‘Togo’ cars,” the DVLA CEO affirmed. “The new plates will give us better security and make it easier to track vehicles involved in crime. This is about making vehicle regulation modern, transparent, and safe for everyone.”
Clamping Down on Plate Abuse
The redesign also targets the rampant misuse of Defective Vehicle (DV) and Drive-from-Port (DP) temporary plates. According to the authority, too many private individuals have abused the system, driving unregistered cars on temporary permits indefinitely to evade permanent registration fees.
The newly redesigned DV and temporary (TMP) plates will now feature unmistakable security holograms, watermarks, and QR codes to prevent illegal cloning.
“The enhanced security features are designed to prevent counterfeiting and ensure the authenticity of the plate,” Mr. Kotey explained during a demonstration presentation. “The new plate demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to leverage technology to enhance security and convenience for its customers.”
Onboarding at 51 Centers Nationwide
To facilitate a smooth transition for the motoring public, the DVLA has opened doors at 51 operational centers across the country to begin registering new vehicles and converting older records into the upgraded digital database.
DVLA officials have urged vehicle owners, commercial drivers, and car dealers to cooperate fully with the rollout. The authority stressed that the exercise is structured to maximize public convenience rather than act as a bottleneck.
“The Authority wishes to assure the general public that the rollout of the new licence plates will commence seamlessly as all legislative requirements are fully settled,” Kwasi Bona Otuo Srebuor, Director of Vehicle Inspection and Registration at DVLA noted during a presentation. “Vehicle owners, automobile dealers, distributors, freight forwarders, and agents can acquire the plate at any of our operational offices across the country.”
The DVLA is collaborating closely with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to launch joint enforcement operations, ensuring that counterfeit plates are aggressively swept off the streets. Vehicle owners are advised to visit their nearest designated center with their Ghana Card and valid vehicle documentation to complete their onboarding.
