The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has clarified why vehicle owners in Ghana are required to remove their number plates after selling their cars, noting that number plates legally belong to individuals, not vehicles.
According to the Authority, the policy, introduced under the current vehicle registration system, aims to improve traceability and prevent former vehicle owners from being wrongly linked to traffic offences or criminal activities committed after a car changes ownership.
DVLA Director of Corporate Affairs, Stephen Attuh, explained that number plates are linked to several national systems, including traffic enforcement and security databases. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that plates always reflect the current legal owner.
“If you sell the car and leave the plate with it, any infraction committed afterward is recorded in your name. This policy ensures accountability is correctly assigned,” Mr. Attuh said.
Under the rule, vehicle owners must remove their number plates at the point of sale to avoid being held responsible for future violations involving the vehicle.
The DVLA also explained that removed plates may be retained by the Authority and reassigned to the same owner if they later acquire another vehicle.
“DVLA may keep the plate until you get another car. When that happens, we realign the vehicle details with your plate so you can use it again,” he added.
The Authority stated that the reform is part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s vehicle registration system, enhance accountability, and ensure traffic enforcement and security records accurately reflect vehicle ownership at all times.
