DVLA urges motorists to complete full vehicle ownership transfer to avoid legal risks

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has warned motorists to ensure they complete the full transfer-of-ownership process when buying or selling vehicles, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to serious legal consequences.

The call is part of ongoing vehicle registration reforms aimed at addressing issues where individuals use vehicles they cannot legally prove ownership of due to incomplete documentation.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, DVLA Director of Corporate Affairs, Stephen Attuh, explained that many people assume ownership simply by possessing a vehicle or using its number plate, even though the legal title remains in someone else’s name.

Such situations can create complications in cases of crimes, road infractions, or ownership disputes, as law enforcement relies on DVLA records to identify the legally registered owner.

Mr. Attuh noted that the revised registration process now issues vehicle titles directly to individuals at the point of first registration, whether for newly imported vehicles or those being registered in Ghana for the first time. For second-hand vehicles, buyers must complete the official transfer-of-ownership process to legally assume ownership.

“So you could have a car, sell it, and still hold on to the documents. Even if I use the number plate, I don’t legally own the car. If an issue arises, the true owner must be identified,” he explained.

He emphasized that the reforms aim to strengthen accountability, improve vehicle traceability, and ensure ownership records are clear, accurate, and legally defensible.