The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced that all vehicles in Ghana will be issued new RFID-compliant number plates starting April 1, 2026, as part of efforts to modernize vehicle identification and enhance road management systems.
According to the DVLA, the new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) plates will allow vehicles to be digitally identified through scanning, enabling seamless integration with electronic toll systems, speed cameras, and other automated monitoring technologies.
Phased rollout
The re-registration exercise will be implemented in phases.
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New vehicle registrations will receive the updated RFID plates beginning January 1, 2026.
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Existing vehicles will begin re-registration with the new plates from April 1, 2026.
The DVLA explained that this structured rollout will ensure a smooth national transition to the new digital number plate system.
No more registration year on plates
Earlier, the Authority announced that from January 1, 2026, vehicle number plates will no longer display the year of registration.
Under the new format, each plate will indicate:
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The region of registration (e.g., Greater Accra displayed at the top),
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A unique four-digit number, and
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A zone code representing the specific registration area within the region.
For instance, a car registered in Adenta in the Greater Accra Region will end with the code “AD”, replacing the traditional two-digit year code such as “25” for 2025.
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Changes to “DV” and “TMP” plates
DVLA Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey also revealed upcoming reforms to the “DV” (Defective Vehicle) and Temporary (TMP) number plate systems.
He noted that the changes aim to curb the misuse of DV plates, which are intended solely for car dealers to move unregistered vehicles for repairs or test drives — not for daily use by private individuals.
The new DV and TMP plates will feature distinct designs and added security elements, including a new sticker system for vehicles not yet cleared for regular road use.
Purpose of the reform
According to the DVLA, these updates form part of a broader digital transformation agenda to:
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Improve vehicle tracking and identification,
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Enhance road safety and compliance, and
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Facilitate efficient electronic monitoring and toll collection across Ghana’s transport network.
DVLA officials have urged all vehicle owners to prepare for the re-registration process, assuring the public that detailed guidelines and timelines will be released well ahead of implementation.
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Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem