Ghana’s Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is set to implement a comprehensive overhaul of its vehicle registration system, including the introduction of a digital tracking framework and newly designed license plates, according to Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Tuesday, Mr. Kotey said the reforms are aimed at enhancing transparency and traceability in vehicle ownership and movement—starting from the country’s ports of entry.
At the center of the overhaul is the introduction of a new Dealer’s Permit (DP) sticker, embedded with a scannable code that links to detailed information about the vehicle’s entry into Ghana. “The new DP system allows us to know who is driving the vehicle, when it entered the country, where it is headed, and when the permit expires,” Mr. Kotey said. “It was problematic to have vehicles in circulation without clear ownership, but this system changes that from day one.”
The DVLA now requires car dealers to affix the new DP stickers when holding vehicles in garages, while private buyers must register vehicles within two weeks of acquisition. Failure to comply could come with costly consequences.
According to Mr. Kotey, the authority is considering the introduction of a punitive special license plate for vehicles not registered within the two-week window. “This plate will come at a very expensive price,” he warned, noting that its purpose would be both corrective and deterrent.
The reforms extend to the design of number plates as well. Beginning January 1, 2026, the DVLA will eliminate the current practice of including the vehicle’s year of manufacture on plates. Instead, the new format will feature a regional code at the top and a locality code at the end. For example, a plate may read GR 222 AD, with “AD” designating Adenta, a suburb of Accra.
“The legal groundwork is complete, and we’re ready to roll out the new system at the start of the new year,” Mr. Kotey said.
The initiative marks a significant modernization of Ghana’s vehicle registration process, aligning it more closely with global best practices and strengthening regulatory oversight in the country’s growing transport sector.
