The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has escalated its enforcement campaign against forged and expired vehicle plates, signaling a tougher stance on what officials describe as widespread disregard for road regulations.
The intensified crackdown, which forms part of a broader nationwide exercise, comes amid concerns that earlier public education and voluntary compliance measures have failed to produce the desired results.
Director of Vehicle Registration and Inspection, Kwasi Bona Otuo Sirebuo, said recent targeted operations in Accra, including a high-profile exercise at East Legon—exposed persistent violations, reinforcing the need for stricter enforcement.
He noted that the East Legon operation forms part of similar ongoing exercises across the country aimed at restoring discipline within the vehicle registration system and ensuring compliance with the law.
Data from the DVLA indicates that between March 24 and mid-April 2026, enforcement teams uncovered significant irregularities, including the use of expired 2025 DV plates, forged 2026 DV plates, and invalid DP stickers.
Out of 707 vehicles inspected across Tema, Adenta, and Nungua (Nama), approximately 31 percent were found to be using forged 2026 DV plates—raising serious concerns about systemic non-compliance.
Adenta recorded the highest number of violations, while Nungua reported widespread use of expired stickers. Tema, however, showed relatively higher compliance levels.
In April alone, nearly 40 vehicles were seized for possessing forged or expired DP stickers, while several individuals were apprehended during the East Legon operation, with offending plates removed on the spot.
Shift from Education to Enforcement
Officials say the crackdown marks a decisive shift from public sensitization to strict enforcement.
“We have moved beyond warnings. The level of non-compliance is unacceptable,” Sirebuo stressed, indicating that previous leniency had been widely ignored.
To strengthen oversight, the DVLA’s Compliance and Enforcement Unit has deployed digital tablets to verify vehicle logbooks and plate serial numbers in real time, helping to detect mismatches and counterfeit documentation on the spot.
Security Agencies Step In
The DVLA is working closely with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to intensify enforcement nationwide, signaling a more coordinated state response to road traffic violations.
Arrests Set to Begin May 4
In a significant escalation, the DVLA has announced that effective May 4, 2026, offenders will face immediate arrest and prosecution under the Road Traffic Act.
Authorities say vehicles will no longer be allowed to continue operating after plates are removed, marking a zero-tolerance approach aimed at deterring repeat offences.
The DVLA has urged all vehicle owners to regularize their documentation without delay, warning that the use of forged plates or stickers constitutes a criminal offence.
The authority also called on the media to support public education efforts, framing compliance as both a legal obligation and a matter of public safety.
The exercise was carried out by the the Compliance Unit leg by the Assistant Compliance and Enforcement Manager of the DVLA, Kofi Ansah Apenteng.
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