Ghana is set to overhaul its vehicle registration system with the introduction of a new generation of number plates designed to improve security, vehicle identification and digital tracking.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has developed the proposed plates with a combination of physical security features and embedded digital technology. The system is expected to connect registered vehicles to the authority’s central database and give authorised institutions easier access to vehicle information.
The new system will be introduced after the necessary legislation has been approved and outstanding legal issues have been addressed.
What the new number plates will feature
A sample of the proposed design, unveiled by DVLA Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey, contains several features intended to make vehicle identification more secure and efficient.
National flag
The red, gold and green colours of Ghana’s national flag, together with the Black Star, will appear on the plates to identify them as officially registered in Ghana.
Map of Ghana
An outline of the country’s map will also form part of the plate design as an additional national identification feature.
“Republic of Ghana”
The inscription “Republic of Ghana” will be displayed on the plates, aligning the design with international registration practices.
Region of registration
Unlike the existing system, the full name of the region where a vehicle was registered will be displayed, allowing the registration location to be identified more easily.
Unique vehicle number
Every registered vehicle will be assigned a unique numerical identifier as part of the new registration format.
Random identification mark
An additional randomly generated alphabetical code will help make each plate distinct and make duplication or counterfeiting more difficult.
Registration centre code
The current year suffix will be replaced with a code representing the DVLA centre where the vehicle was registered. For instance, “AD” could identify the Adenta registration centre.
RFID technology at the centre of the reform
One of the biggest changes will be the introduction of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
Each new plate will contain an RFID chip connected to the DVLA’s central database. Authorised agencies will therefore be able to electronically retrieve and verify vehicle registration information.
The technology is expected to improve the identification of legally registered vehicles and assist authorities in detecting vehicles that may have been smuggled or improperly registered.
It could also support automated toll collection, potentially reducing reliance on cash payments and helping to speed up transactions at toll points.
Improved visibility and fraud prevention
The proposed plates will use reflective materials to make them easier to see at night and improve their readability by traffic enforcement cameras.
The DVLA also plans to take greater control of plate production by manufacturing the plates itself. The move is intended to reduce the production and circulation of counterfeit plates and prevent unauthorised embossment.
Why the year suffix is being removed
Ghana’s vehicle registration plates have traditionally included a two-digit year code indicating when a vehicle was registered.
Under the proposed system, that feature will be discontinued.
For example, a registration that previously appeared as “GR 4521-25” could take a format such as “GR 222 AD”.
In that example,
- “GR” represents the Greater Accra Region;
- “222” is the vehicle’s unique number; and
- “AD” identifies the Adenta registration centre.
The DVLA says removing the year indicator is intended, among other things, to discourage motorists from postponing registration in order to obtain plates associated with a more recent year.
Changes to “DV” and “TMP” plates
The reforms will also address the use of “Defective Vehicle” (DV) plates.
DV plates were originally designed for vehicle dealers who needed to test or transport unregistered vehicles. However, concerns have been raised about their prolonged use by some motorists as an alternative to completing full vehicle registration.
The redesigned “DV” and “TMP” plates are expected to have stronger controls and closer integration with the DVLA’s database to reduce misuse.
Digital tracking of “Drive from Port” stickers
The proposed system will also introduce digital traceability for “Drive from Port” (DP) stickers.
When scanned, the sticker is expected to provide information such as,
- the vehicle owner’s details;
- the vehicle’s destination;
- the date the vehicle arrived in Ghana; and
- the expiry date of the sticker.
What the changes mean for motorists
The DVLA says the new system will improve registration processing and record management. The authority plans to manufacture the plates in-house, with a target turnaround time of 48 hours.
Personalised number plates will continue to be available, although their prices could rise because of the additional RFID technology.
Current estimates indicate that replacing standard plates could cost between GH¢600 and GH¢1,200, including the RFID-enabled plates and related windscreen stickers. However, the final charges will depend on parliamentary approval.
Motorists currently using DP stickers or DV plates will be allowed to continue using them until the authorities announce an official transition schedule.
A shift towards digital vehicle identification
The proposed number plate reform represents a significant move towards technology-driven vehicle administration in Ghana.
Through RFID technology, regional identification, improved security measures and integration with a central database, the DVLA aims to strengthen vehicle monitoring, reduce registration fraud and support law enforcement.
If implemented as proposed, the number plate will no longer serve only as a visible registration identifier but will also function as a digital link to a vehicle’s official records.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar.