The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has assured the public that the upcoming 2026 vehicle registration system will not create difficulties for car owners despite its enhanced technological features.

Speaking at a sensitisation forum in Ho, the Deputy Director in Charge of Vehicle Inspection and Registration, Kwasi Bona Otuo Srebour, urged vehicle owners to remain calm as the new number plate regime is introduced.

He stressed that although the plates come with advanced digital capabilities, the registration process itself remains unchanged.

According to him, the new system is designed to modernise Ghana’s vehicle identification framework and resolve long-standing challenges associated with traditional aluminium plates.

“This new regime is going to help us achieve a lot of things, including a clean database of vehicles in the country.

As we speak now, those aluminium plates do not have any information on the plate itself. As a result, people can just move it from one vehicle to the other and use it to commit any crime, and you will not be able to trace the owner of that vehicle or the plate,” he said.

Otuo Srebour added that the reform will expose improperly registered vehicles and strengthen the ability of authorities to track vehicles more accurately, reducing criminal activities linked to untraceable plates.

Addressing concerns about commercial motorcyclists, he revealed that all required legislative amendments to legalise the operations of Okada riders have been placed before Parliament. Once approved, a distinct number plate category will be issued to them under the new regime.

Deputy Volta Regional Police Commander, ACP Samuel Stephen Okunor, welcomed the innovation, describing it as a timely solution to verification challenges police face during investigations.

“It is a very good initiative. Because of the challenges we go through, especially in cases of, let’s say, a hit and run or something, we go to the DVLA, we have to go through so many processes, and most of the time, their processes are not that computerised. So this introduction, I believe, is going to reduce our workload and is going to hasten the way we investigate cases.

We are only hoping that they will bring gadgets that will assist us in easily identifying the vehicles’ owners, and it will go a long way,” ACP Okunor stated.

He further called for intensified public education to ensure citizens understand the purpose and benefits of the new system.

Ahead of the 2026 rollout, the DVLA has begun a nationwide sensitisation campaign to engage stakeholders, drivers, transport unions, security agencies, and the general public on the new number plate technology and its implications.