The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has recorded a significant drop in vehicle registrations at the start of 2026, a development the Authority says is linked to public anticipation of the rollout of new vehicle number plates.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, only 6,318 vehicle registrations have been recorded so far in 2026, a figure he described as a historic low for what is traditionally the Authority’s peak registration season.

Speaking on the development, the CEO said the DVLA recognises the shift in public behaviour and understands that many vehicle owners are deliberately delaying registration in expectation of the introduction of the new number plates.

“It is clear that Ghanaians are waiting for the rollout of the new number plates,” he noted, adding that the Authority has taken the trend into account in its operational planning.

He assured the public that the DVLA is fully prepared to meet the anticipated surge in demand once the new plates are introduced.

“We want to assure the public that the DVLA is ready and will not disappoint,” the CEO said.

The DVLA is expected to announce details of the new number plate system in the coming weeks, as part of broader efforts to modernise vehicle registration and improve efficiency and security within the system.