DVLA to end third-party number plates; begins local production

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) of Ghana is set to take over the production of vehicle number plates, ending its dependency on imported plates and third-party manufacturers. This move is part of a major transformation of the authority's operations to enhance security around vehicle identification and combat the rise of counterfeit number plates.

The DVLA has begun building a manufacturing centre at its Greater Accra regional office in Accra, with the facility expected to be completed in three months. The plates produced will feature Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The CEO of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kortey, inaugurated the project on August 28, 2026, emphasizing the government's commitment to reposition the DVLA as a vital institution in the road transport sector.

The new facility will enable the DVLA to produce high-quality number plates under its direct supervision, reduce reliance on external suppliers, and improve the quality, security, and distribution of number plates. Once manufactured, the plates will be distributed to DVLA offices nationwide for embossment. Each region will receive embossment machines, starting with five in the Greater Accra region and three in Ashanti.

The initiative aims to decentralise the service, making it more accessible to vehicle owners, and regulate the activities of private embossers to ensure only qualified operators participate. The project addresses security concerns regarding the quality and counterfeiting of number plates currently circulating in the vehicle registration system.