DVLA Unveils Smart Number Plates, Faster Digital Vehicle Registration Reforms
The Director of Corporate Affairs at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Mr. Stephen K. Attuh, has outlined the requirements for vehicle registration, the Authority’s ongoing digital transformation, and new measures aimed at combating fake number plates and improving road safety.
Speaking on the Bubune Breakfast Show with Nana Yaw Asiamah, Mr. Attuh explained that the first and most important requirement for registering any imported vehicle in Ghana is the Customs Declaration Form, which confirms that all import duties and taxes have been paid.
According to him, regardless of whether a vehicle is brand new or second-hand, registration cannot proceed without proof that the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division has legally cleared the vehicle.
“The Customs Declaration Form is the key source document. Without it, DVLA cannot register your vehicle because it proves that all the necessary duties have been paid,” he said.
He noted that the requirement also serves as a deterrent against vehicle smuggling, revealing that the Authority recently impounded a vehicle that had entered the country without the required customs clearance. The owner was subsequently made to pay more than GH¢70,000 in outstanding import duties before the vehicle could be regularised.
Mr. Attuh stressed that the DVLA has a responsibility to protect state revenue and ensure fairness for motorists who comply with Ghana’s import regulations.
He further explained that registration requirements differ depending on whether the vehicle is new or used.
For brand-new vehicles, applicants are required to present the Customs Declaration Form together with their Ghana Card before registration.
However, owners of used vehicles must first obtain a roadworthiness certification from a Private Vehicle Testing Station (PVTS), where critical components such as brakes, lights and other safety systems are inspected before the vehicle qualifies for registration.
Touching on processing times, Mr. Attuh indicated that under normal circumstances, a vehicle can be registered within the same day, and in many cases within a few hours.
He acknowledged, however, that some motorists may experience delays in receiving their number plates due to new security reforms introduced by the Authority.
According to him, the DVLA has centralised the embossing of number plates to eliminate loopholes that previously allowed fraudulent replacement plates to be produced without proper verification.
He explained that under the new system, vehicle details must be fully verified before a number plate is embossed, making the process more secure even if it takes slightly longer.
Mr. Attuh disclosed that Ghana will soon begin rolling out smart number plates embedded with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips.
He said the smart plates will allow security agencies equipped with RFID scanners to instantly retrieve vehicle information during investigations and roadside operations.
“The current plates carry no digital information. The new RFID-enabled plates will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles quickly and improve crime detection,” he explained.
He further revealed that earlier this year, the DVLA uncovered more than 30,000 fake DV (Defective Vehicle) number plates circulating within the system.
The Authority, he said, has already made arrests and launched enforcement actions against offenders while preparing for a nationwide public education campaign to sensitise motorists on the introduction of the new smart plates.
Mr. Attuh appealed to the public to exercise patience if number plate issuance takes a few extra days, insisting that the enhanced security measures are consistent with international best practices adopted in countries such as Canada, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
On the Authority’s digital transformation agenda, Mr. Attuh said vehicle registration is now fully digital, with ownership verification forming a key part of the process.
He explained that when an agent is registering a vehicle on behalf of an owner, a verification code is sent directly to the owner’s phone before registration can be completed. This system, he noted, prevents agents from fraudulently registering vehicles in their own names and significantly reduces ownership disputes.
Turning to driver licensing, Mr. Attuh stated that the Ghana Card remains the primary identification document required for all licensing services.
Prospective drivers must also complete training at an accredited driving school before sitting for DVLA’s computer-based theory examination.
He disclosed that the computerised test is available in English as well as six Ghanaian languages, including Twi, Ewe and Ga, making the examination more accessible to applicants across the country.
Successful candidates are immediately issued a temporary paper driver’s licence while waiting for their permanent licence cards to be printed.
Mr. Attuh also highlighted the growing role of private-sector partnerships through Goaman Service Centres, which provide modern licensing services and biometric data capture on behalf of the DVLA.
He indicated that applicants who use these centres typically receive their permanent licence cards within one to two months while legally driving with their temporary permits.
On online services, Mr. Attuh encouraged motorists to begin licence applications and renewals through the DVLA’s digital platform before visiting an office to complete the process.
He clarified, however, that Ghana has not yet introduced fully remote licence renewals because every renewal legally requires a physical eye examination.
According to him, qualified optometrists conduct mandatory vision tests at DVLA offices every two years during licence renewal to ensure drivers remain medically fit to operate vehicles safely.