DVLA announces two-year nationwide vehicle re-registration exercise

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced that all vehicles in Ghana will be re-registered under a new digital number plate system between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2028. Before the nationwide rollout, a pilot phase will begin on August 1, 2026, starting with government vehicles and expanding to all unregistered vehicles from September 1.

Speaking at a media briefing, DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey said the new system is intended to strengthen vehicle identification, reduce revenue leakages and integrate the DVLA’s database with agencies including the Ghana Police Service, the National Insurance Commission, the Ghana Highway Authority and the judiciary. He urged stakeholders, particularly transport unions, to support the initiative.

Mr Kotey explained that the digital platform would enable law enforcement agencies to access vehicle records more quickly, improving criminal investigations and reducing delays in processes such as bail applications. The authority also reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the policy despite the absence of an update on the supporting legislation.

As part of the preparations, owners of vehicles registered before 2023 are required to migrate their records to the DVLA’s digital platform. Officials say failure to complete the onboarding process will prevent vehicle owners from obtaining registration documents or participating in the mandatory re-registration exercise and could result in sanctions under road traffic laws.