The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is set to roll out significant changes to Ghana’s vehicle registration system as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and modernize the country’s transport regulation framework.
Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Julius Neequaye Kotey, disclosed that the reforms include the rollout of new license plates, the use of advanced tracking systems, and stricter rules governing the use of Dealer’s Permit (DP) stickers.
The newly designed DP stickers, which carry unique scannable codes, will allow the DVLA to trace vehicles right from the port of entry into the national transport system.
According to the Authority, the technology provides instant details about a vehicle’s arrival date, intended destination, driver, and the validity period of the permit. This, officials believe, will eliminate the practice of untraceable vehicles circulating without ownership records.
Under the new regime, car dealers will be required to use DP stickers for unregistered vehicles in their garages, while private buyers must register their cars within two weeks of acquisition.
The DVLA cautions that DV plates should only be used for approved purposes, such as transferring a vehicle for servicing. Any other use constitutes an offence.
Mr. Kotey also revealed that motorists who fail to register their vehicles within the stipulated two-week period may be compelled to use a special “late registration” number plate, which will attract a premium charge.
Another major shift in the policy is the removal of the vehicle’s year of registration from number plates. Beginning January 1, 2026, number plates will instead display a regional identifier at the start and a local area code at the end.
For example, a plate reading GR 222 AD would indicate a vehicle registered in Greater Accra, specifically the Adenta area.
The DVLA says all the necessary legal frameworks for the reforms have been completed and the implementation is scheduled to commence at the start of 2026.
Read More @ ATLFMNEWS.COM
