Abuakwa South MP raises concerns over DVLA number plate suspension

The recent decision by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to suspend the rollout of its proposed new vehicle number plate system has opened a broader national debate, with the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, cautioning that the accompanying directives could expose motorists and the general public to serious legal and safety risks.

The DVLA had announced the suspension of the new number plate regime, which was initially scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, following mounting concerns raised by lawmakers, transport operators, and other stakeholders.

Among the issues cited were inadequate stakeholder consultations, insufficient institutional preparedness, and the absence of the required amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180).

The matter was further complicated by a High Court injunction granted on December 23, 2025, effectively halting the implementation of the new system.

While welcoming the suspension as a necessary corrective step, Dr. Agyemang expressed deep concern over a specific aspect of the DVLA’s accompanying directive — the decision to allow vehicles operating with Drive from Port (DP) and Defective Vehicle (DV) number plates to remain on the roads “until further notice.”

According to the Abuakwa South legislator, this directive poses serious legal and public safety implications.
He argued that it directly contradicts the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, 1958 (Act 42), which makes it mandatory for every vehicle using a public road in Ghana to be covered by valid third-party insurance.

Dr. Agyemang explained that DP and DV plates are, by their nature, temporary and conditional.

They are issued for limited use pending full registration and roadworthiness certification.

Insurance policies tied to such plates, he noted, are equally limited in scope and duration, and are not designed to support prolonged or indefinite use of the vehicle on public roads.

“Compulsory motor insurance exists to protect innocent third parties in the event of injury, death, or property damage,” he stressed. “Allowing vehicles to operate for extended periods under temporary documentation undermines the very foundation of this protective framework.”

He further referenced sections 10 and 11 of Act 42, which impose a statutory obligation on insurers to satisfy judgments awarded to third parties following road traffic accidents.

These protections, he explained, only apply where valid and effective insurance coverage exists at the time of an incident.

According to Dr. Agyemang, the continued operation of vehicles under DP and DV plates without proper insurance coverage exposes road users to unnecessary risk, potentially leaving accident victims uncompensated and forcing them into prolonged legal battles for redress.

The MP also warned that administrative directives from regulatory agencies cannot override clear statutory requirements.

Citing sections 16 and 17 of Act 42, he noted that the use of a motor vehicle on a public road without valid insurance constitutes a criminal offence, regardless of any temporary administrative arrangements.

In light of these concerns, Dr. Agyemang called on the Minister for Transport to urgently intervene by regularising the status of DP and DV number plates in full compliance with existing law.

He urged the Ministry to issue clear policy guidance to the DVLA to ensure that no vehicle is permitted to operate on Ghanaian roads without valid third-party insurance coverage.

He further appealed to the National Insurance Commission (NIC) to strictly enforce insurance regulations, emphasizing that compulsory motor insurance is designed to protect the public, not to accommodate administrative gaps or transitional challenges.

“The law is unambiguous,” Dr. Agyemang concluded. “Compliance is not optional, and public safety must never be compromised for administrative convenience.”