By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Starting August 1, 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will officially discontinue the issuance of aluminium ‘Drive from Port’ (DP) number plates. In a move aligned with its ongoing digital transformation agenda, the Authority will now issue only digital, sticker-based DP numbers for all vehicles cleared at Ghana’s ports.
This directive will apply to vehicles cleared at Tema, Takoradi, and other authorized ports, marking a major shift from the long-standing use of metal plates for temporarily identifying unregistered imported vehicles.
The DVLA explained that this change follows a successful pilot program, and is designed to enhance security, convenience, and efficiency for vehicle importers and enforcement agencies. The new system enables real-time verification, automatic expiration alerts, and better tracking of vehicle movements, thereby reducing opportunities for misuse.
“The introduction of the sticker-based DP numbers is aimed at ensuring better monitoring, improving security, and eliminating the abuse of DP plates by some motorists,” a statement from the DVLA read.
In addition to digitizing DP issuance, the DVLA is collaborating with the State Insurance Company (SIC) to provide mandatory insurance coverage for all vehicles before they leave the port. This measure is expected to bolster road safety and ensure legal compliance by vehicle owners from the moment the car exits the port premises.
Motorists currently using aluminium DP plates are advised to complete their full registration within the legally stipulated timeframe or face enforcement action. Stakeholders such as freight forwarders, car dealers, and importers have also been urged to prepare for and cooperate with the new system.
The DVLA is calling on the general public to support this transition, which is a key part of its broader commitment to modernizing service delivery through digitization.
This initiative is in line with the government’s e-governance strategy, aiming to streamline public services while curbing fraud and inefficiencies.
