The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has begun testing new vehicle number plates equipped with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology as part of plans to introduce them nationwide in 2027.
The initiative is aimed at modernising vehicle registration and improving access to vehicle information, with the technology expected to support law enforcement and integration with electronic road tolling and traffic monitoring systems.
DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey announced the development at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 12, 2026, where he disclosed that the designs for the new plates had been completed and were undergoing pilot testing.
“We have completed the concepts and designs of the new radio frequency identification-enabled number plates. Currently, the new number plate is being piloted ahead of nationwide rollout in 2027,” he said.
Mr Kotey explained that the designs were produced internally by DVLA staff, eliminating the need for external consultants and consultancy fees.
“The designs of these new number plates were carried out by the staff of DVLA. There was no consultancy fee and no external influence over the designs. It was led and completed by an in-house team,” he said.
According to the DVLA chief executive, the RFID-enabled plates could provide information relevant to law enforcement, particularly in situations involving criminal activity.
“The RFID technology provides the opportunity for vehicle number plates to carry information that would be useful for law enforcement in the event of crime,” Kotey said.
He added that the technology would also allow the new number plates to work alongside electronic road tolling systems and traffic enforcement technologies being deployed by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
Beyond the introduction of the new plates, the DVLA is planning to decentralise number plate embossing to all its regional offices. The move is intended to reduce delays in processing vehicle registrations and make the service more accessible to motorists across the country.
