In an interview on Class FM morning show, Public Relations Officer at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority(DVLA), Francis Asamoah-Tuffuor, has urged drivers and prospective vehicle owners to take advantage of the availability of D.V. plates nationwide.

Francis Asamoah-Tuffuor assured the public that there is an adequate supply of plates across all its offices, making it unnecessary to delay the renewal process.

Vehicle owners across the country have been cautioned against using expired D.V. plates in 2026, as doing so constitutes a violation of the law and will attract sanctions from law enforcement agencies.

According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), D.V. plates are issued for specific durations, either for one year or for a temporary period of two weeks (14 days).

A D.V. plate obtained on January 1, 2025, for example, is legally valid only until December 31, 2025.

From January 1, 2026, such a plate expires and must be replaced with a new one.

The Authority explained that the system does not recognise expired D.V. plates, and vehicles operating with them will be deemed unregistered under the law.

Drivers found using outdated plates risk being stopped and sanctioned by the police.

“Using 2025 or earlier D.V. plates on a vehicle in 2026 is an offence,” the Authority emphasised, encouraging vehicle owners to acquire and fix the 2026 D.V. plates ahead of time, rather than waiting until enforcement intensifies.

The DVLA further clarified that no extension will be granted for the use of expired plates.

As a statutory institution established by law, it is mandated to strictly enforce regulations governing vehicle registration and identification.

Vehicle owners have therefore been advised to comply fully with the law to avoid inconvenience, penalties, or possible prosecution, as enforcement will be carried out without exception once the new year begins.