The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced a nationwide enforcement operation targeting motorists still using 2025 DV (Defective Vehicle) plates and expired DP (Departure from Port) stickers, effective Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The move, being implemented in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, marks the beginning of strict regulatory action against unlawful vehicle documentation on Ghana’s roads.
In a public notice issued ahead of the clampdown, the DVLA explained that the use of 2025 DV plates and expired DP stickers had been temporarily permitted due to delays in rolling out the new 2026 vehicle licence plates. However, with the official issuance of the 2026 DV plates on February 4, 2026, to motor traders, fleet owners and licensed trade plate dealers, the continued use of outdated plates and stickers is now considered illegal under Ghanaian law.
The DVLA reminded vehicle owners that the use of DV plates is governed by Regulation 23 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which clearly specifies the categories of vehicles permissible to operate with such plates. Motorists whose vehicles do not fall within the designated categories are required to complete full registration processes in compliance with the law.
According to the authority, all its operational offices have been registering vehicles under the 2026 system since January 2, 2026, giving vehicle owners sufficient time to regularise their documentation. As a result, the DVLA has urged motorists still operating with 2025 plates or expired DP stickers to comply with the updated regulations without delay, warning that failure to do so could lead to sanctions — including fines, impoundment or other legal penalties — once the enforcement exercise begins.
Officials stressed that the enforcement effort is aimed at strengthening compliance with road traffic laws and ensuring that all vehicles on Ghana’s roads are properly documented and legally registered under the current licensing system. Motorists have been advised to visit DVLA offices to obtain the necessary 2026 plates and stickers or to complete required registration processes ahead of the clampdown.
The nationwide operation reflects ongoing efforts by the DVLA and partner agencies to improve road safety and regulatory adherence, particularly following the administrative extensions that delayed the new licence plate rollout.
