DVLA promises easy switch in new RFID vehicle plates in 2026

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has assured that the introduction of new RFID-embedded vehicle registration plates in 2026 will be a seamless process for vehicle owners, with the same straightforward procedures as current systems.

The new plates replace the year-based format with zonal codes but embed RFID chips for enhanced security and traceability.

According to Kwesi Bona Otuo-Srebour, Deputy Director of Vehicle Inspection and Registration, the innovation addresses vulnerabilities in existing aluminum plates, which lack embedded data and enable easy swapping for criminal activities.

He stated during a stakeholder engagement in Ho on December 3, 2025, that vehicle owners need only bring their vehicles for inspection and valid identification to DVLA offices. This will create a clean national vehicle database, documenting all activities electronically for instant history checks by owners or buyers.

The RFID system will eliminate fake plates issued outside the system, boosting public safety by aiding police in tracing vehicles used in crimes. The DVLA highlighted that the new licence plates are designed to boost public safety, enhance the accuracy of vehicle identification, and help remove unroadworthy vehicles from the roads.

Officials emphasized that this reform marks a significant move toward creating a smarter, safer, and more efficient transport management framework. The session brought together key players from transport unions, law enforcement, and the automotive sector to deliberate on the reform's implications for Ghana's transport system.

In an interview with the media, ACP Samuel Stephen Okuno, Deputy Volta Regional Commander, has applauded the DVLA's new initiative to computerize vehicle registration and data management.

Describing the move as a significant step forward in addressing several challenges faced by law enforcement in Ghana, he recounted the difficulties currently encountered, especially in hit-and-run cases, where accessing vehicle information from the DVLA involves lengthy, manual processes that are often not computerized.

"With this introduction, I believe it will reduce our workload and speed up investigations. It is going to improve the way we handle cases," he said. ACP Okuno expressed optimism that the new system will include tools allowing easy identification of vehicles and their owners.

He called for public understanding and cooperation to support the government's efforts, which he believes will significantly enhance road safety enforcement and the overall transport system. The necessary amendments to road traffic laws have been submitted to Parliament, paving the way for DVLA to issue specialized commercial permits and plates upon passage.