The Vehicle Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG) has filed an injunction at the High Court in Accra, requesting that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) be restrained from rolling out its new digital vehicle number plate system scheduled for January 2026.
The lawsuit, filed on December 22, 2025, names BEMENCO Embossment Ltd and 26 other plaintiffs, all members of the association, who argue that the DVLA’s decision to implement digital number plates violates existing practices. According to VEMAG, the DVLA has awarded manufacturing and embossment contracts to a single entity, which they claim is unprecedented and goes against long-standing protocols in the vehicle number plate production industry.
The plaintiffs argue that the move by the DVLA would undermine the longstanding role of licensed embossers, a key stakeholder group in vehicle number plate production. VEMAG has requested the court to prevent the DVLA from proceeding with its plans until the matter is fully adjudicated. They contend that the DVLA’s actions are unlawful, citing the refusal to allocate blank registration plates for the year 2026 as a breach of contract.
Moreover, the association is asking the High Court for an order that will compel the DVLA to continue engaging with licensed embossers, including the plaintiffs, for the production of vehicle registration plates for 2026 and beyond. They are also requesting legal costs, including solicitors’ fees, and any other reliefs the court may deem necessary.
VEMAG’s injunction application could have significant consequences for the future of vehicle registration in Ghana. If successful, the court order could prevent the introduction of digital number plates and delay the DVLA’s broader plans for modernization in vehicle registration. This legal battle underscores the ongoing tension between technological innovation and traditional business practices in Ghana’s vehicle registration sector.
