Ghana to Introduce RFID Number Plates by 2026 to Boost Road Safety and Digital Vehicle Tracking

DVLA Sets April 2026 Deadline for Nationwide RFID Number Plates

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) number plates across Ghana by April 2026, marking a major step in the country’s digital transformation of road transport systems.

According to the DVLA, the initiative aims to modernise vehicle identification, streamline enforcement, and improve road safety through real-time data tracking.

RFID technology uses embedded electronic chips that can be scanned remotely to identify vehicles. This system will allow authorities to monitor vehicle movement for toll collection, speed regulation, and compliance with traffic laws.

The rollout will begin in two phases:

• January 1, 2026: All new vehicles will receive RFID plates during registration.
• April 1, 2026: Existing vehicles will begin re-registration to transition to the new system.

DVLA Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey explained that the upgrade will also introduce a new zonal coding format to replace the current year-based numbering. For example, a vehicle registered in Adenta, Greater Accra Region, will carry the code “AD” instead of the year “25,” helping identify where each car was registered.

Officials say the reform will help eliminate widespread misuse of “DV” (Defective Vehicle) plates and enhance transparency in vehicle ownership. The DVLA will also introduce improved Temporary (TMP) and DV plates that include special security stickers for easier verification.

Mr. Kotey noted that the changes will support law enforcement integration, allowing agencies like the Ghana Police Service and National Road Safety Authority to instantly verify vehicle data and detect unregistered or stolen cars.

The RFID project forms part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Transport and the DVLA to digitalise Ghana’s vehicle management systems. It builds on an earlier decision to abolish year indicators on number plates from January 2026 — a reform designed to simplify registration records and support long-term data analytics.

According to the DVLA, Ghana currently has over 3.2 million registered vehicles, with more than 200,000 new registrations annually. The transition to RFID technology is expected to create a more reliable national vehicle database and reduce cases of cloned or fake number plates.

Transport experts say the move aligns with the government’s Digital Ghana Agenda, which seeks to enhance service delivery and promote efficient traffic management through smart technologies.

Beyond security and enforcement, the RFID plates could support electronic toll collection and automated traffic systems already being tested in some West African countries, such as Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Analysts believe Ghana’s adoption of the technology could pave the way for regional interoperability, easing cross-border vehicle tracking under ECOWAS transport protocols.

In addition, local automotive and tech companies may benefit from contracts to produce RFID-enabled plates and related software, creating new business and employment opportunities.

While the DVLA has not disclosed the full cost of re-registration or plate replacement, it says public sensitisation will begin in 2025 to prepare motorists for the transition.

Observers note that successful implementation will depend on public cooperation, infrastructure readiness, and strong data protection measures to prevent misuse of vehicle tracking data.

The RFID number plate initiative, if executed effectively, could mark a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey toward a safer, smarter, and more transparent transport ecosystem.

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