DVLA to tie vehicle registration numbers to owners, not vehicles, in major reform

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced a sweeping reform that will permanently link vehicle registration numbers to owners rather than to the vehicles themselves, fundamentally changing how car ownership is documented and transferred in Ghana.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey outlined the new policy, which requires motorists to remove their number plates when selling a vehicle. The new owner must then apply for a fresh registration number in their own name, ensuring that each plate is tied to a specific individual rather than a specific car.

Ending the ‘Year of Registration’ Confusion

Under the new system, registration numbers will no longer include the year of first registration—a long-standing feature of Ghanaian plates that often caused confusion and misidentification. “There will no longer be a year of registration attached to number plates. When you purchase your vehicle, you simply go ahead and register it,” Mr Kotey explained.

Addressing a Persistent Accountability Gap

The reform is designed to eliminate a common legal and administrative headache: situations where former owners are held liable for traffic offences, toll violations, or even crimes committed by new owners long after the vehicle has been sold.

“There have been several instances where people are arrested over offences involving vehicles, only for them to claim they sold the vehicle years ago. We want to avoid that,” Mr Kotey stated. By deactivating the old registration upon sale and requiring the new owner to obtain fresh plates, the DVLA aims to create a clear, unbroken chain of ownership accountability.

How Transfers Will Work

When a vehicle is sold, the seller must remove the number plate and surrender it to the DVLA, which will deactivate that registration number from the system. The buyer then applies for a new number plate in their own name—a process that will be integrated into the DVLA’s broader modernisation efforts, including the upcoming electronic number plate system set for piloting this month and full rollout in January 2027.

Retention Option for Owners

Mr Kotey also disclosed a retention provision: sellers can keep their registration numbers for up to five years after selling a vehicle. If they purchase another vehicle within the same category during that period, the DVLA can reactivate the old number for use on the new vehicle. This gives owners the flexibility to retain personalised or meaningful plates while still ensuring the strict owner-to-plate linkage.

Part of a Broader Security Overhaul

The new registration regime forms part of the DVLA’s wider reforms to improve vehicle identification, enhance public safety, and combat fraud. It complements the authority’s ongoing efforts to introduce electronic plates with cloning detectors, which have already led to the seizure of approximately 130 vehicles in a one-month period.

Advice to Motorists

Mr Kotey urged all motorists to comply with the new rules and ensure they remove their number plates before handing over any vehicle to a buyer. “If you sell your car, make sure you remove your number plate to avoid any future problems,” he cautioned.

Implementation Timeline

While the DVLA has not specified an exact start date for the owner-linked system, it is expected to be phased in alongside the electronic number plate rollout. The pilot for the electronic system begins this month, with nationwide implementation scheduled for January 2027. The owner-registration reform is likely to follow a similar timeline, with public sensitisation campaigns expected in the coming months.

Potential Challenges and Benefits

The new system could pose logistical challenges, particularly for the used-car market and fleet operators who frequently transfer vehicles. However, the DVLA argues that the long-term benefits—clearer ownership records, reduced fraud, and enhanced accountability—far outweigh the transitional costs. For law enforcement, the system promises to make it easier to identify vehicle owners and prosecute offenders, while for the public, it offers protection against wrongful liability for previous owners’ actions.

As Ghana moves toward a more digitised and secure vehicle registration environment, the owner-linked number plate system marks a significant shift in how vehicle ownership is documented, tracked, and enforced.

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