The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, has announced a nationwide enforcement exercise targeting vehicles using 2025 DV plates and expired DP stickers.
The operation is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as part of efforts to ensure strict compliance with road traffic regulations following the rollout of new vehicle registration plates.
In a statement issued on March 19, the DVLA said the continued use of outdated plates and stickers will no longer be tolerated under the law. The Authority explained that it had earlier permitted the temporary use of 2025 DV plates and DP stickers due to operational challenges ahead of the transition to the new system.
However, this arrangement changed on February 4, 2026, when the DVLA officially began issuing 2026 DV plates to motor traders, fleet owners and licensed dealers. This followed an earlier call for applications in November 2025, inviting eligible stakeholders to apply under the new regime.
With the introduction of the 2026 plates, the Authority stated that the use of 2025 DV plates and expired DP stickers has now become unlawful. It cited Regulation 23 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which clearly defines the categories of vehicles permitted to use DV plates. Vehicles outside these categories are required to be fully registered before being driven on public roads.
The DVLA also noted that all its offices have been registering vehicles for the 2026 year since January 2, ensuring that motorists have ample opportunity to regularise their documentation.
Ahead of the enforcement exercise, the Authority is urging all affected vehicle owners to comply with the law without delay. It warned that motorists who fail to regularise their documents risk penalties during the joint DVLA–police operation.
“All vehicle owners who are currently using 2025 DV plates or expired DP stickers are encouraged to comply with the Road Traffic laws to avoid legal consequences,” the statement said.
