By Dorothy Yeboah
In a bold move to enhance road safety and enforcement, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has introduced a new generation of vehicle number plates embedded with smart chips.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Director of Corporate Affairs and Services Excellence at the DVLA, Mr. Stephen Attuh, disclosed that the smart chip-enabled number plates are part of a broader initiative to modernize the Authority’s operations through the use of technology.
“The introduction of the new vehicle number plates will help clamp down on road offenders and ensure sanity on our roads,” Mr. Attuh stated.
According to him, the smart chips will grant authorities real-time access to critical vehicle data, which will play a key role in crime prevention and law enforcement.
He explained that under this latest process, vehicle numbers will be owned by individuals, so tracking people who commit infractions won’t be difficult. “You are required to take off the number plate on your vehicle when you decide to sell it,” he stressed.
He said the buyer is also expected to visit the DVLA with the owner to complete the transfer process, and then a new plate will be issued to the new owner.
Mr. Attuh emphasized that the success of the initiative will depend on collaborative efforts with other national security agencies. He noted that partnerships are already being formed to ensure smooth implementation and integration of the technology across various platforms.
“We are working closely with other security agencies to make sure the system functions efficiently and becomes a powerful tool in our collective fight against lawlessness on the roads,” he said.
In addition to improving traffic management and compliance, the smart plates are also expected to tackle the persistent issues of fake roadworthy certificates and cloned number plates.
“The DVLA’s latest move is in line with its long-term strategy to digitalize its services and build a more secure and efficient transport ecosystem,” he noted.
He mentioned that the smart chip number plates, expected to be rolled out nationwide in phases, will be seamless, with the first batch being issued to newly registered vehicles starting next year.
Mr. Attuh therefore cautioned clients to be wary of middlemen, often referred to as Goro Boys, in order not to be duped, while urging clients to deal directly with the DVLA through its outlets.
