The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has announced major reforms in the vehicle registration regime.

He says the Authority has plans to introduce new number plates and advanced tracking technology.

Mr Kotey, who was speaking on Channel One TV, said the newly introduced Dealer’s Permit (DP) stickers are aimed at improving accountability and ensuring traceability of vehicles from the ports into the country’s transport system.

“The new DP sticker allows us to track who is driving the car, when it arrived in Ghana, its destination, and when the sticker expires. Once scanned, the code reveals all these details. It was wrong to have cars in the system without knowing their owners, but now, right from the port, we know who owns the vehicle,” he explained.

He clarified that while car dealers are expected to use DV stickers when keeping vehicles in garages, individuals are required to register their cars within two weeks of purchase. Using DV plates outside legitimate purposes, such as sending a vehicle for repairs, constitutes a violation of the law.

Mr Kotey further revealed that the Authority is considering introducing a special number plate for those who fail to register their vehicles within the stipulated two-week period, cautioning that such plates would come at a “very expensive” cost.

As part of the reforms, the DVLA will also discontinue the practice of displaying the year of manufacture on number plates. From 1 January 2026, new plates will feature a regional code at the top and an area code at the end.

“For instance, a plate will read GR 222 AD, with AD representing Adenta. We have completed all the legal groundwork and intend to roll this out on the first of January,” Mr Kotey said.