The Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has explained why the rollout of Ghana’s new vehicle number plate system has been delayed.
According to Kotey, the delay was largely caused by a court case and the time required to complete the necessary legislative processes before the new system could be introduced.
He explained that the DVLA needed the appropriate Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to provide the legal basis for implementing the new number plate system. The process was affected when Parliament went on recess, further delaying the planned rollout.
Kotey said the required legislative process has now been completed, with the L.I. taking effect on May 28, 2026. Cabinet has also approved the implementation of the new system.
The DVLA is expected to begin a pilot phase of the electronic number plate system in August 2026, ahead of nationwide implementation scheduled for January 2027.
Kotey explained that the new system forms part of broader efforts to improve vehicle identification, strengthen traceability and address problems associated with fraudulent and cloned number plates.
He said the new system will also introduce cloning detection technology designed to help authorities identify vehicles using fraudulent registration plates.
According to the DVLA boss, authorities have already identified cases involving vehicles with questionable number plates and roadworthy certificates. Some vehicle owners reportedly obtain plates and documents from locations that do not correspond with where their vehicles are registered.
Kotey stressed that vehicle number plates should be treated as important security documents because unrestricted access to them can create serious challenges for law enforcement and public safety.
He disclosed that, during efforts to tackle fraudulent registrations, the DVLA had seized about 130 vehicles and handed them over to the Customs Division for further action.
The new system is also expected to improve the durability and quality of Ghana’s vehicle number plates. Kotey explained that plans to upgrade the plates had existed before he became DVLA chief.
Under the planned improvement, the aluminium content of the plates is expected to increase significantly, making them more durable.
The DVLA’s modernisation programme is aimed at creating a more reliable vehicle registration system while reducing opportunities for fraud and illegal duplication.
The introduction of electronic number plates is therefore expected to represent a major change in how vehicles are identified and monitored in Ghana.
For motorists, the full rollout is expected to begin after the pilot phase, with nationwide registration under the new system scheduled for January 2027.
The DVLA believes the new technology will improve vehicle traceability, strengthen road safety and assist security agencies in dealing with vehicles linked to fraudulent registrations.
DVLA deliberately didn’t release new DV plates to crack down on criminals: Julius Kotey, CEO of DVLA. pic.twitter.com/zZN6hhk5Lg
— BARNES (@IdanBarnes) August 14, 2026
Source: Thepressradio.com
