By Frank Kwame Abbor
Ho, Jan. 8, GNA – The rollout of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority’s (DVLA) digital number plate system has stalled due to pending legislative amendments and network challenges, officials have disclosed.
The DVLA suspended the nationwide implementation of its new digital number plate system, citing delays in amending the required Legislative Instrument (L.I).
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to the DVLA office in Ho revealed that the Authority continues to issue the old registration plates to vehicle owners.
Mr Charles Owusu Boakye, Assistant Manager in charge of operations, said management had directed all offices to maintain the existing system until further notice.
He explained that, based on guidance from the DVLA Chief Executive, the Authority registered only five vehicles from the beginning of the year, largely due to persistent network challenges.
Mr Boakye added that the introduction of new vehicular licence plates this year was unlikely because amendments to L.I 2180 could not be completed before Parliament went on recess.
Clarifying the situation, Mr Stephen Attuh, Director of Corporate Affairs, said the suspension was purely administrative and not connected to any court action against the Authority.
“We have had to suspend this exercise due to our inability to meet the L.I amendment. There is no injunction against the Authority,” Mr Attuh stated.
He explained that the proposed digital plates would contain radio frequency identification (RFID) chips and could only be embossed by the DVLA to enhance traceability and prevent tampering.
“Once you attempt to remove the plate, it becomes unusable. Any damage renders the plate invalid,” he said.
Mr Attuh further encouraged vehicle owners who registered before 2023 to migrate to the digital platform early to avoid congestion when the rollout eventually begins.
He added that more than 800 vehicles had so far been registered nationwide under the old system this year, stressing that existing white private and yellow commercial plates remain valid until further notice.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah / Lydia Kukua Asamoah