The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has announced major reforms in Ghana’s vehicle registration process, including the introduction of new number plates and advanced vehicle tracking technology.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Kotey said the new Dealer’s Permit (DP) stickers are designed to enhance accountability and traceability of vehicles right from the port into the transport system.
According to him, the DP stickers allow authorities to know who is driving the car, when it arrived in the country, its intended destination, and the expiry date of the sticker.
“Once scanned, the code reveals all these details. Previously, vehicles could enter the system without any clear ownership, but now, right from the port, we know who owns the vehicle,” he explained.
He further noted that while car dealers are required to use DV stickers when keeping vehicles in garages, private individuals must register their cars within two weeks of purchase. He cautioned that using DV plates without valid reasons such as transporting a car for repairs constitutes a violation.
Mr. Kotey also hinted at the possible introduction of a special number plate for individuals who fail to register their vehicles within the stipulated time, warning that such plates would come at a very expensive cost.
Additionally, the DVLA will phase out the practice of placing the year of manufacture at the end of number plates.
From January 1, 2026, plates will instead carry a regional code at the top and an area code at the end.
“For example, a plate will read GR 222 AD, with ‘AD’ representing Adenta. All legal groundwork has been completed, and we intend to roll this out on the first of January,” he disclosed.
