DVLA Begins Pilot of New RFID Number Plates; Official Issuance Starts January 2027
…With Biennial Renewal Sticker; Year of Registration Removed
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has commenced the pilot phase of its new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled number plates, introducing a redesigned vehicle registration system aimed at strengthening vehicle identification, security and traceability.
The new system, which forms part of the Authority’s broader digitisation programme, comes with several enhanced security features, including a biennial renewal sticker ring, a redesigned registration-number format and the removal of the year of registration from number plates.
In a statement copied to The Archives, the DVLA said the pilot was intended to enable it to test and refine the new number plates, associated processes and operational requirements ahead of a nationwide rollout.
The Authority said it intends to begin the official issuance of the new RFID-enabled number plates in January 2027, starting with unregistered vehicles.
It said details and the commencement date for the re-registration of vehicles that are already registered would be announced subsequently.
New Plate Features
According to the DVLA, the new RFID-enabled number plates incorporate several security and identification features designed to improve the authenticity and traceability of registered vehicles.
The features include “REPUBLIC OF GHANA” prominently displayed at the top of the plate, the Ghana flag at the top-right corner and a biennial renewal sticker ring at the top-left corner.
The region of registration will also be displayed at the bottom of the plate, while a watermark of the map of Ghana will appear at the centre.
The registration details have also been redesigned. Under the new format, the registration number will be followed by four letters.
The first two letters will represent the Registration Centre Code, while the subsequent two letters will constitute a Random Identification Mark that does not follow a sequential pattern.
Significantly, the year of registration will no longer appear on the number plate under the new system.
Pilot Before Full Rollout
The DVLA said the pilot phase would involve a selected number of vehicles and allow the Authority to assess the effectiveness of the new plates and refine the processes before full implementation.
The initiative follows the passage of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) and forms part of measures to strengthen the integrity, security and efficiency of Ghana’s vehicle registration system.
The Authority said the introduction of the RFID-enabled plates was intended to enhance vehicle security, improve revenue protection and promote greater efficiency in vehicle registration and identification.
The DVLA has consequently urged vehicle owners and the motoring public to take note of the upcoming changes, assuring them that adequate information would be provided ahead of each phase of the rollout.
