DVLA to phase out 'DP' vehicle aluminium number plates issued at ports from August 1

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced that, effective August 1, 2025, it will cease issuing  vehicle aluminium number plates at Ghana’s ports of entry, replacing them with a fully digital sticker-based system known as the Drive from Port (DP) number.

The new system, which has already undergone successful pilot testing at the Tema and Takoradi ports, marks a shift in the DVLA’s operations as part of a broader effort to modernise service delivery, enhance security, and improve operational efficiency.

In a statement issued by the Authority, it stated that the initiative will apply to all vehicles imported into the country, marking the end of the long-standing practice of issuing temporary metal plates at the ports.

As part of the new arrangement, the DVLA has partnered with the State Insurance Company (SIC) to ensure that all vehicles leaving the ports are covered under a mandatory insurance policy. This initiative aims to enhance compliance with road safety and insurance regulations.

Officials say the new digital sticker system will streamline the clearance process at ports, reduce the incidence of fraud, and enhance traceability and accountability in the vehicle registration process.

The Authority is therefore urging importers, freight forwarders, clearing agents, and the public to fully cooperate with the new system to facilitate a smooth rollout.

DVLA maintains that the Drive from Port system represents a critical step toward digitising and securing Ghana’s vehicle registration ecosystem and is aligned with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Read a copy of the statement below;