DVLA’s New Number Plates Spark Debate as 2026 Rollout Nears

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority plans to introduce new vehicle number plates in 2026.
The announcement has sparked growing public debate across the country.

DVLA Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey has been explaining the new design on television.
He says the plates will improve vehicle tracking and national security.

The new plates will be produced directly by the DVLA.
Officials say this will prevent tampering and improve data control.

Each number plate will display the region where the vehicle was registered.
The regional slogan will also appear on the plate.
A regional map will be embedded as a background feature.

The plate will show a four-digit number followed by regional letters.
Extra letters will identify the specific DVLA office of registration.

The DVLA says security agencies can scan and trace vehicles in real time.
Officials believe this will help fight crime and road violations.

However, concerns are emerging over the plate’s practical usefulness.
Critics say the design contains too much information.

They argue complex plates are harder to read and memorise quickly.
Most vehicle crimes in Ghana are still solved through eyewitness reports.

Poor street lighting remains a major challenge nationwide.
Limited cameras reduce the effectiveness of advanced scanning technology.

Some critics question the removal of the registration year.
They say the year helps quick identification during investigations.

READ: Replacing Missing Driver’s Licence Instantly At The DVLA: Three Easy Steps

Ghana has changed its number plate format several times.
Past changes did not significantly improve vehicle security.

There are calls for simpler and more readable number plates.
Supporters say simple formats improve public reporting.

As the 2026 rollout approaches, public scrutiny continues.
Many expect further revisions before final implementation.