The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South,Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has welcomed the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority’s (DVLA) decision to suspend the rollout of the proposed new vehicle number plate system but cautioned that elements of the accompanying directive could create serious legal, insurance, and public safety challenges.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 29, Dr. Agyemang said the suspension of the system—originally scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026—was appropriate, citing concerns earlier raised in Parliament. These included institutional readiness, insufficient stakeholder consultation, and the absence of amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180).
He also referenced a High Court injunction granted on December 23, 2025, which restrained the implementation of the new number plate regime, describing the court action as a key legal basis for halting the process.
Concerns Over DP and DV Plate Directive
Despite supporting the suspension, the MP raised strong objections to the DVLA’s decision to allow vehicles operating with Drive from Port (DP) and Defective Vehicle (DV) plates to continue using public roads “until further notice.”
According to Dr. Agyemang, this directive conflicts with the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, 1958 (Act 42), which requires all vehicles used on public highways to carry valid third-party insurance.
“The purpose of compulsory insurance is to protect innocent third parties in cases of death, bodily injury, or property damage,” he stated.
He explained that DP and DV plates are temporary and conditional, with insurance coverage typically limited in duration and scope pending inspection and full registration. Extending their use indefinitely, he warned, could weaken the enforcement of Ghana’s compulsory motor insurance framework.
Legal and Liability Implications
Dr. Agyemang noted that sections 10 and 11 of Act 42 place a statutory obligation on insurers to satisfy judgments awarded to third-party victims, an obligation that depends on the existence of valid insurance at the time of an incident.
He cautioned that allowing vehicles to operate without effective insurance could result in uninsured road use, uncompensated victims, and increased litigation, stressing that administrative directives cannot override statutory requirements.
He further pointed to sections 16 and 17 of Act 42, which criminalise the use of vehicles on public roads without valid insurance documentation.
Call for Immediate Intervention
The Abuakwa South MP called on the Minister for Transport to urgently intervene by ensuring that the status of DP and DV plates is regularised strictly in line with the law. He urged that no vehicle be permitted on public roads without valid third-party insurance and that the DVLA receive clear policy direction to prevent gaps in enforcement.
He also appealed to the National Insurance Commission (NIC) to enforce insurance regulations rigorously, emphasizing that compulsory motor insurance exists to safeguard the public, not to compensate for administrative delays.
“The law is clear, and compliance is not optional,” Dr. Agyemang concluded.
Source: Africa Publicity
