DVLA Postpones New License Plate Rollout Amid Legislative Gaps and Court Injunction

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has officially delayed the introduction of its modernized vehicle license plates, which were originally set to launch on January 2, 2026.

The Authority attributed this postponement to a lack of complete legal backing; while Parliament amended the Road Traffic Act of 2004, it went on recess on December 19, 2025, without passing the essential updates to the Road Traffic Regulation of 2012 (L.I. 2180).

This specific regulation defines the design, format, and technical specifications of license plates in Ghana, making the current legal framework insufficient for the planned rollout.

Beyond the parliamentary delay, the project faces a significant legal hurdle from the private sector. The Vehicle and Asset Management Group (VEMAG) has secured a court injunction against the DVLA, raising concerns over transparency, procurement practices, and the lack of adequate stakeholder engagement.

VEMAG’s legal challenge argues that the current implementation strategy could unfairly impact existing industry players. Until these judicial and legislative issues are resolved, the Authority is legally prohibited from introducing the new plates, which were intended to feature Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips for improved vehicle tracking and security.

To prevent disruptions for vehicle owners during this period of uncertainty, the DVLA has confirmed that temporary measures will remain in effect. Drivers currently using “Drive from Port” (DP) stickers and “Defective Vehicle” (DV) plates are permitted to continue operating their vehicles legally.

The Authority has assured the public that these existing identifiers will remain valid until a new, finalized implementation date and specific transition deadlines are officially announced.