DVLA Scraps Year of Registration on Number Plates: What You Need to Know

Accra ,Ghana - The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ghana has revealed plans to scrap the current system of displaying the year of registration on vehicle number plates, effective January 1, 2026. Instead, the new system will introduce regional names at the top of the plates, followed by area codes showing which DVLA office processed the registration.

What to Expect from the New System

Under the proposed system, vehicle owners will no longer see the year of registration displayed on their number plates. Instead, the plates will feature:

- Regional Names: The name of the region where the vehicle was registered will be displayed at the top of the plate.

- Area Codes: A code indicating the specific area or DVLA office that processed the registration will replace the year of registration.

- Unique Four-Digit Number: Each vehicle will have a unique four-digit number assigned to it.

For example, a vehicle registered in the Greater Accra region, specifically in the Adenta area, would have a number plate displaying "Greater Accra" at the top, followed by "GR 2224-AD", where "GR" represents Greater Accra and "AD" represents Adenta.

Rationale Behind the Change

According to the DVLA, the current system of displaying the year of registration on number plates is no longer necessary and can be used to determine the vehicle's age, which may impact its resale value. The new system aims to:

- Improve Vehicle Identification: By introducing area codes, the DVLA hopes to make it easier to identify vehicles and reduce the risk of registration avoidance.

- Enhance Security: The new system will make it more difficult for individuals to register vehicles with false or duplicate identities.

Implementation Timeline

The DVLA plans to implement the new system starting January 1, 2026. Vehicle owners are advised not to delay registering their vehicles in anticipation of the new system, as the change will apply to all vehicles regardless of their age.

Parliamentary Approval

The implementation of the new system requires parliamentary approval to amend Legislative Instrument 68, which governs the Road Traffic Regulation. The DVLA has completed the necessary legal work and is awaiting parliamentary approval for implementation.

Source. – Lead News Online