The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced a delay in the implementation of Ghana’s new vehicle number plate system, originally scheduled for January 2, 2026.

The suspension comes after the Authority failed to secure the necessary amendments to the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which outlines the specifications and format of vehicle plates.

CEO of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, explained the situation, noting that while Parliament successfully amended the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), the specific provisions requiring changes in L.I. 2180 had not been passed before Parliament went on recess on Friday, December 19, 2025.

All you need to know about Ghana's new vehicle number plates from 2026

“As a result, due to the fact that the L.I. 2180 amendment has not gone through, the DVLA announces to the general public the suspension of the impending rollout of new license plates slated for January 2, 2026,” Kotey stated.

The CEO also clarified what this means for unregistered vehicle owners; the existing drive-from-port (DP) stickers and DV plates will continue to be valid for use for an extended period.

“Anyone who has the DP sticker on their vehicle, as well as the DV plate on their vehicle, can continue to use them up to a time limit to be announced by the Authority in due course,” he added.

The DVLA has assured the public that a new timeline for the introduction of the updated plates will be revealed once parliamentary approval is obtained.

The Authority’s announcement underscores the importance of completing all legislative processes before rolling out nationwide regulatory changes.

This postponement will also allow the government to finalise the legal framework, ensuring a smoother and fully compliant transition to the new number plate system when it eventually comes into effect.

Julius Neequaye Kotey, the CEO of DVLA, has announced that the implementation of the new vehicle number plate system, originally scheduled for January 2, 2026, will be postponed until it receives approval from Parliament.

He also stated that the existing drive-from-port… pic.twitter.com/2tFeUSKKQa

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) December 24, 2025