The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has announced major reforms in Ghana’s vehicle registration and monitoring system, aimed at tightening accountability and improving road safety.
Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV on Tuesday, August 19, Mr. Kotey said the DVLA has introduced new Dealer’s Permit (DP) stickers to ensure proper traceability of vehicles right from the port of entry into the country’s transport network.
According to him, the innovation will allow the DVLA to digitally track vehicles and their users in real time.
“The new DP sticker allows us to track who is driving the car, when it arrived in Ghana, its destination, and the date the sticker expires. Once scanned, the code reveals all these details. Previously, vehicles could enter the system without a clear record of ownership, but with this system, ownership is established right from the port,” he explained.
Mr. Kotey stressed that car dealers are mandated to use DV stickers when keeping vehicles in their garages, while individuals must complete registration of newly acquired cars within two weeks.
He cautioned that misuse of DV plates — for instance, using them outside legitimate purposes such as transporting a vehicle to a mechanic — constitutes a violation of DVLA regulations.
To deter non-compliance, the DVLA is considering the introduction of a special number plate for individuals who fail to register their vehicles within the required period. However, he warned that such plates will be issued at a “very expensive” cost to discourage delays.
Mr. Kotey further revealed that beginning January 1, 2026, the DVLA will phase out the current format that places the year of manufacture at the end of license plates. Instead, number plates will adopt a new design featuring:
- A regional code at the top, and
- An area code at the end of the plate.
“For example, a plate will now read GR 222 AD, with ‘AD’ representing Adenta,” he explained, adding that all legal processes have been completed to support the transition.
The reforms, according to the DVLA boss, form part of broader efforts to modernize Ghana’s vehicle registration system, reduce fraud, and improve law enforcement’s ability to track vehicles involved in crime or accidents.
“These measures will ensure that no vehicle is in the system without accountability. It will also make our roads safer and our registration process more transparent,” Mr. Kotey concluded.
