By Paul Mamattah
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced plans to roll out a new vehicle registration plate system featuring enhanced security and real-time tracking mechanisms to curb vehicle theft and smuggling.
The one-month trial, part of a pilot phase starting on 15 November 2025 and ending on 15 December 2025, will enable the Authority to test and refine the new registration process before full implementation next year.
Speaking at a media event at the DVLA Headquarters in Accra yesterday, October 16, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, stated that the new number plate aims to enhance national security, curb vehicle smuggling, and protect government revenue.
He said the initiative is part of the DVLA’s broader reform agenda to modernize vehicle registration and strengthen law enforcement.
“This is about your security, my security, and the security of the state. When people smuggle cars into the country without paying duties, the state loses millions of cedis. The new system will help block those loopholes and protect our economy,” he stated.
Mr Kotey disclosed that Ghana currently loses significant revenue through vehicle smuggling across about 25 illegal entry routes.
The new number plates will come with advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips, enabling real-time vehicle tracking by security agencies.
“If a car is stolen, we can immediately flag it in our system. The RFID boards on the roads will detect and report their location instantly to the police,” he explained.
Mr Kotey assured vehicle owners that they will not be required to re-register their vehicles under the new system, but will only pay for the new plates.
To make DVLA services more accessible and reduce the activities of middlemen, popularly known as “goro boys,” he announced the establishment of new service centres in Techiman, Nsawam, Jasikan, South Dayi, and Nalerigu, among other locations.
“We are bringing our services closer to the people. When access is easier, you don’t need a ‘goro boy’ to help you,” he said.
Mr Kotey further emphasized that the DVLA’s primary focus remains on road safety rather than revenue generation. “Safety first, that’s our focus. A safer road network benefits everyone, not just the government,” he stressed.
He appealed to the public to support and embrace the new system when it is rolled out in 2026.
Explaining the new design, the Director of Driver Training, Testing, and Licensing, Kafui Semevo, said the plate incorporates a background map that represents the region of registration.
He noted that the circular section on the plate is designated for the biannual renewal status, which must be updated every six months as required by law. This process, he explained, allows the DVLA to distinguish active vehicles from those that have been decommissioned easily.
Mr Semevo clarified that the total vehicle registration count displayed in the system is cumulative, meaning it includes all vehicles ever registered, even those no longer in use. At the top of the new plate, the registration region appears in grey, alongside the Ghana flag and the national code.
The vehicle number is followed by the registration centre code, such as “GR” for vehicles registered in Osu. Additional random characters, marked as “XY,” serve as unique security identifiers to prevent duplication and enhance verification.
He explained that the new plates will come in different colour schemes to distinguish between vehicle categories. Private vehicles will have a white background, while commercial vehicles will have a yellow background. Diplomatic vehicles will use specially numbered plates unique to each mission.
Mr Semevo added that private motorcycles will carry blue plates, whereas commercial motorcycles will use yellow. Government vehicles will continue to use blue backgrounds designed for high visibility, and electric vehicles will be easily identified by a green mark on the plate.
He further stated that trailers will have plates with a yellow mark, a “T” prefix, the registration centre code, and a security identifier. Other machinery, such as tractors and cooling units, will have similar identification plates.
The DVLA has also introduced temporary plates that will display the vehicle type, expiry date, and verification approval. These plates will not be transferable between vehicles.
Mr Semevo noted that for individuals who wish to personalize their registration, VVIP plates with custom details, including names, will be available. There will also be special ceremonial plates for occasions such as marriages.
According to Mr Semevo, the DVLA is tightening enforcement and duty regulations to ensure that every plate can be traced back to its issuing dealership. Plates will carry expiry dates to help manage their validity and curb misuse.
He announced that the new system will be ready by November 15, 2025, followed by a pilot phase lasting until December 15, 2025, to test and refine the process.
Complete registration under the new system will begin on January 1, 2026, starting with newly registered vehicles. Re-registration of existing vehicles will commence on April 1, 2026, and continue until December 1, 2027, by which time all cars in the country are expected to have transitioned to the new plates.
The re-registration of existing vehicles is scheduled to start on April 1, 2026, and will continue until December 1, 2027, by which time all vehicles nationwide are expected to have transitioned to the new plates.
Later, in a statement, Mr Kotey, the DVLA Chief Executive Officer, expressed appreciation to stakeholders who participated in a recent consultation meeting on the proposed new number plate system.
He thanked participants for their time, contributions, and constructive feedback during the session, which forms part of efforts to enhance efficiency and security within Ghana’s vehicle registration and identification processes.
“The insights, feedback, and questions you raised are invaluable as we move forward with implementing this crucial national system,” Mr Kotey noted.
“We are committed to making this transition as smooth and effective as possible, and your input is essential to achieving that goal.”
He reaffirmed the DVLA’s commitment to stakeholder engagement and collaboration as the Authority continues its reforms aimed at modernizing the transport and licensing sector.
Mr Kotey further expressed optimism that the new system, once implemented, would streamline operations, curb fraud, and improve service delivery for all road users.
The DVLA reiterated its appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued partnership and dedication to advancing Ghana’s transport sector.
