DVLA Suspends Rollout of New Number Plates Planned for January 2026

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced the suspension of the planned rollout of new vehicle licence plates, which was scheduled to commence on January 2, 2026.
According to the Authority, the decision follows the inability to secure the necessary amendments to the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which outlines the specifications, contents and format of vehicle number plates in Ghana.
In a statement, the DVLA explained that although Parliament successfully amended the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), the corresponding amendments required under L.I. 2180 were not passed before Parliament went on recess on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The Authority noted that without the approval of the relevant legislative instrument, it is legally constrained from proceeding with the introduction of the new licence plates.
“Until the legislative requirements are fully settled, we are unable to proceed with the rollout of the new RFID-embedded licence plates,” the DVLA said.
It explained that the new licence plates were designed to incorporate modern security and tracking technologies, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), to improve vehicle traceability, enhance road safety and support effective law enforcement.
The DVLA further assured the public that the suspension will not disrupt current vehicle registration arrangements. It stated that vehicles currently using Departure from Port (DP) stickers and DV plates are permitted to continue operating under the existing system.
“Owners of vehicles with DP stickers and DV plates may continue using them until a time limit is communicated by the Authority,” the statement added.
The DVLA expressed appreciation to motorists and the general public for their understanding and cooperation, noting that it remains committed to implementing a modern, secure and efficient vehicle licensing system once all legal requirements are fully addressed.
Meanwhile, the Vehicle Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG) has filed an injunction at the High Court in Accra, seeking to restrain the DVLA from rolling out any new or digitalised vehicle number plate registration system from January 2026.
The suit was filed by BEMENCO Embossment Ltd, together with 26 other plaintiffs, all members of VEMAG. The injunction application, filed on Monday, December 22, 2025, is seeking to halt the introduction of the new plates until the court determines the substantive issues raised in the case.
The legal action adds another layer of uncertainty to the planned reforms, as stakeholders await both legislative clarity and judicial direction on the future of vehicle number plate registration in Ghana.