The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced a significant reform to Ghana’s vehicle registration system, with number plates set to be issued in the names of individual owners starting January 2026.
According to the DVLA, the move aims to enhance road safety and security by ensuring that each number plate is directly tied to its registered owner.
Under the new policy, number plates will belong to the individual rather than the vehicle. This means that when a vehicle is sold, the original owner must remove their plate, while the new owner will be required to register for a new one.
“Once implemented, every vehicle owner is expected to consider their vehicle number as a personal number and take full responsibility for safeguarding it,” the DVLA stated.
The Authority explained that the reform will improve the ability of law enforcement and security agencies to trace vehicle-related incidents directly to individuals, thereby boosting accountability in the transport sector.
DVLA added that the initiative will also help curb the fraudulent use of number plates and support investigations into crimes involving vehicles by creating a seamless link between number plates and their rightful owners.
