New applicants for driver’s license in Ghana are now mandated to acquire a provisional license plate to display on their vehicles. The scheme which took effect from Monday, December 17, 2012, comes at an additional cost of Gh₵48.00 to applicants. According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the introduction of the provisional plate is to accord special protection to new drivers on the roads. Applicants who have passed the three months learner’s stage would be issued with their licensing together with the letter ‘P’ embossed on the plate for their vehicles. “The ‘P’ is for provisional license holders and that one is for a period of one year; after the period of one year if you’ve not involved yourself in an accident, then you’re qualified to drive anywhere”, said Joseph Clifford Obosu, Ashanti Regional Deputy Licensing Officer. He told Luv Fm the provisional plate will enable motorists identify and tolerate some mistakes of immature drivers. Meanwhile, the Kumasi office of the DVLA has recorded a remarkable increase in the number of vehicle registration for 2012. As the year draws to an end, the numbers have dwindled but officials say this year’s figures are comparatively higher than that of last year. Vehicles registered at the sector have passed through the AS and AW numbering series, which translate into almost 20 thousand vehicles. “We’ve moved to AE of which we are almost getting to 3,000”, observed Mr. Clifford Obosu. He attributed the increase in vehicular population partly to car ownership schemes introduced by financial institutions and other firms.