DVLA to Begin Nationwide Clampdown on Expired DV Plates
By Tina Moses Sam
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, will from today, Tuesday March 24, 2026, begin enforcement against vehicle owners using 2025 DV plates and expired DP stickers.
In a public notice, the Authority explained that it had earlier extended the use of the 2025 DV plates and DP stickers due to challenges associated with the rollout of new vehicle licence plates.
However, it stated that following the issuance of 2026 DV plates on February 4, 2026, to motor traders, fleet owners and licensed trade plate dealers, the continued use of 2025 DV plates and expired DP stickers is now illegal.
The DVLA reminded the public that the use of DV plates is regulated under Regulation 23 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which outlines the categories of vehicles permitted to use such plates.
It emphasised that vehicle owners whose cars do not fall within the specified categories must complete the appropriate registration processes in line with the law.
The Authority further indicated that all its operational offices began registering vehicles for the 2026 year from January 2, 2026.
It therefore urged motorists still using 2025 DV plates or expired DP stickers to comply with the regulations to avoid sanctions during the enforcement exercise.
In Ghana, vehicle ownership and registration are regulated by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). One of the critical aspects of vehicle registration is the issuance of official license plates, which serve as a national identifier for vehicles. However, in recent years, the proliferation of fake DV plates has become a significant concern for authorities, vehicle owners, and the general public.
Fake DV plates are counterfeit or illegally produced license plates that mimic the official designs issued by the DVLA. These fake plates are often used for illicit activities such as vehicle theft, trafficking, and evasion of traffic laws. The ease of access to printing technology and the high demand for affordable or quick vehicle registration solutions have fueled the spread of fake plates.
Identifying fake plates can be challenging, but there are several indicators which include Poor Quality Printing. Fake plates often have uneven lettering, incorrect fonts, or low-quality material, Inconsistent Design. They may lack the official hologram, security features, or proper alignment found on genuine plates. Fake plates might have irregular numbering sequences or mismatched codes.
Using counterfeit DV plates is illegal and can lead to severe penalties, including fines, vehicle impoundment, or even criminal charges. Moreover, fake plates undermine road safety, facilitate criminal activities, and make it difficult for law enforcement to track and manage vehicles effectively.
The Ghanaian authorities, particularly the DVLA, have taken steps to curb the production and use of fake plates by enhancing Security Features such as Introducing advanced holograms and security elements on official plates, educating vehicle owners about the dangers of fake plates and how to verify genuine ones, enforcing strict penalties for counterfeiters and those caught using fake plates and also implementing digital registration systems and biometric verification to reduce fraud.
Vehicle owners are urged to verify their plates through official channels and report any suspicious plates to authorities. Purchasing plates from authorized dealers and ensuring proper documentation can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to counterfeiters.
Fake DV plates pose a serious threat to Ghana’s road safety and law enforcement efforts. Continued vigilance, technological advancements, and public cooperation are essential to curb this menace and ensure that vehicle registration remains secure and trustworthy.
