The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced a major shift in its number plate system as it phases out the old method of issuing plate numbers with the year of registration. The new system is expected to take effect in January 2026.

This change was announced by the Authority’s CEO, Julius Neequaye Kotey, during an interview with Channel One’s Umaru Sanda, which was aired on Tuesday, August 19. Mr. Kotey revealed that the new system will identify vehicles by the region in which they are registered rather than the year.

“And now, the concept of putting the year of registration at the end of the car number plate is coming to an end. From next year, we will no longer put the year of registration at the end of the plate.”

Explaining further, he said: “With the new plan, number plates will change. Currently, we have GW 2530. With the new plan, every region will have a regional code. For example, Greater Accra’s code could be GR. At the end of the number, where the year used to be, we will now place an area code. For example: GR 222 AD. That tells you the car was registered in Adenta, a particular district/office. So, instead of just the code, we will also put the region name on top of the plate. For example, Ashanti Region will have ‘Ashanti Region’ written on top, the regional code AS, then the number, and finally the district code — e.g., KM for Kumasi.”

According to him, Ghana currently operates the registration-year plate number system because the older method, which used alphabets, was exhausted when the final letter ‘Z’ was reached, necessitating a switch.

He noted that, globally, Ghana is the only country that issues number plates with the year of registration on them. “No country in the world puts the year at the end of the car. The whole world — there’s no single country, really. When you go to the US, you go to the UK, I’ve been to Germany — there’s no single country. So, it came because they were first using ABC at the end. Then Z came. Then there was nothing left for them to use; ‘Let’s put the 09.’”

Mr. Kotey explained that the removal of the registration year is also intended to curb the misuse of DV and DP plates, encourage proper vehicle registration, and reduce crimes involving unregistered cars. “And now, because of the year, that is why people are not willing to register their cars, and some even rent their cars out for robbery,” he said.

History of number plates in Ghana

Before 2009, Ghana used a system where number plates contained a two-letter regional code and a single letter at the end to denote the year of registration. In 1994, the single-letter code combined with a numeric code was introduced, and this system was phased out in 2009 when the alphabet series was exhausted at “Z.”

For instance, GR denoted Greater Accra, while letters were used to represent the year of registration: P for 1998, Q for 1999, R for 2000, S for 2001, T for 2002, U for 2003, V for 2004, W for 2005, X for 2006, Y for 2007, and Z for 2008. When the change was introduced in 1994, all vehicles were re-registered within three years, from 1994 to 1997, moving sequentially from “A,” “B,” “C,” through to “N” by 1997. “P” was then used in 1998, followed by “Q” in 1999.

Below are the codes for the various regions in Ghana: Ashanti Region (AC, AE, AK, AP, AS, AW), Bono Region (BA, BR, BW), Bono East Region (BT), Central Region (CR), Eastern Region (EN, ER, ES), Greater Accra Region (GB, GC, GE, GG, GH, GL, GM, GN, GT, GS, GW, GX, GY), Northern Region (NR), Upper East Region (UE), Upper West Region (UW), Volta Region (VA, VD, VR) and Western Region (WR, WT).

In addition, the DVLA recently announced plans to roll out an e-licence, as part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising service delivery and improving convenience for Ghanaian drivers.

This innovation was announced by CEO Julius Neequaye Kotey on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, during the launch of the DVLA Lorry Terminal Project at Circle.

He explained: “The launch of the Lorry Terminal Project aims to bring DVLA services closer to drivers. The services provided are the acquisition of a driver’s licence, renewal of licence, replacement of missing and expired licences, and conversion of a foreign driver’s licence.”

According to him, the DVLA has intensified its adoption of digital solutions in line with global technological advancements. He emphasised that the e-licence will allow drivers to prove their eligibility to drive without necessarily carrying a hardcopy licence.

“Most of us don’t carry our licenses with us, and it shouldn’t be the case that the police or any other party takes advantage of that. If I don’t have my license with me and I am a driver, I’m still a driver. I should have an app that allows me to identify myself as a legitimate driver on the street and that’s what the e-licence is about.”

Mr. Kotey clarified that the e-licence is not a replacement but a complement to the traditional licence. “It is not here to replace the physical licence but rather to provide an additional option to access your licence on your Android or iPhone.”

The DVLA also issued a warning to the public against the misuse of Defective Vehicle (DV) plates. Providing clarification on their proper usage, Mr. Kotey explained that these plates are designated strictly for car dealers when the vehicle has not yet been certified as roadworthy.