The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced the availability of its DVLAverify application on iOS devices and introduced a web-based verification platform, expanding remote biometric identity verification options for vehicle registration applicants across the country.
In a public notice dated September 23, the Authority said the new platforms will enable prospective vehicle owners and registration applicants to complete biometric identity verification remotely, eliminating the need to visit a DVLA office for the initial identity verification step.
“The Authority is pleased to announce that the DVLAverify App is officially live and available for download on the Apple App Store for iPhone (iOS) users,” the DVLA said in its statement. “iPhone users can now complete their biometric identity verification seamlessly from their mobile devices by downloading the DVLAverify App from the App Store.”
For applicants without access to a compatible smartphone, the Authority has provided a web-based verification platform. “Applicants may complete their identity verification directly through any web browser on a compatible computer with a working webcam,” the DVLA stated. The web portal is accessible via https://vrs2.dvla.gov.gh/vrs_selfie/index.xhtml.
How the DVLAverify App Works
According to the DVLA’s privacy policy, the DVLAverify App collects personal information from users without requiring account creation. The information collected includes a live facial image, vehicle chassis number, transaction invoice number, and the applicant’s National Identification Card PIN.
The app requires camera access to capture facial images for identity verification and does not collect sensitive health or financial data. The Authority states that identity verification data may be stored in operational systems where needed to provide requested services, and that personal data is retained only for as long as necessary for policy purposes or legal and regulatory obligations.
The verification purposes include confirming identity for vehicle registration services, authorising requested transactions, and notifying users of updates and available services.
A Milestone in DVLA’s Digital Transformation
The launch of the iOS app and web platform marks the latest step in the DVLA’s broader digitalisation agenda, which has accelerated under the leadership of Chief Executive Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey.
In 2023, the Authority officially retired its traditional manual system for vehicle registration and migrated all related services to a digital platform accessible online. The electronic Vehicle Registration System (VRS) was designed to eliminate bureaucratic delays, enhance security, and integrate seamlessly with the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) databases.
The integration with ICUMS enables the DVLA to verify and validate vehicles through the customs platform, making it difficult to register vehicles without paid duty. The integration with the NIA database allows real-time verification of applicants’ identities, preventing identity theft.
By January 2024, the electronic VRS had already demonstrated significant impact, with the Greater Accra Regional Office registering 702 vehicles electronically in the first four working days of the year, comprising private vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles. The DVLA noted at the time that the new system could accept three different methods of verification — fingerprint, facial recognition, or electronic application — allowing importers to verify themselves without visiting an office.
RFID Number Plates and Other Reforms
The DVLA has also announced that all vehicles in Ghana will receive new RFID-compliant number plates beginning April 1, 2026, as part of efforts to digitise vehicle identification and enhance road management systems nationwide. The new plates, equipped with Radio Frequency Identification technology, will enable authorities to digitally scan and identify vehicles for electronic tolling, speed monitoring, and traffic law enforcement.
The rollout is being implemented in phases, starting with new vehicle registrations from January 1, 2026, followed by the re-registration of all existing vehicles from April 1, 2026. The new system will replace the existing format, which displays the year of registration, with a zonal code-based design.
Under Kotey’s stewardship, the Authority has rolled out major technology-driven reforms, including nationwide community outreach and monthly lorry terminal services that bring licensing services directly to the public. The DVLA also introduced the new DP (Driver from Port) sticker, which improved revenue assurance from about 2,000 aluminium plates monthly to over 15,000 sticker issuances per month, and implemented 24-hour service operations starting with the Print Farm and Adentan Office.
Kotey was awarded for his outstanding leadership in Digital Transformation in Vehicle Licensing across Africa at the 4th Edition of the African Public Service Optimum Awards 2025, recognising his efforts in modernising and digitising Ghana’s vehicle licensing regime and setting a benchmark for public sector innovation across the continent.
Support and Assistance
The DVLA encouraged applicants who require technical assistance to contact its Customer Support Centre or visit the nearest DVLA office. The Authority said the initiative forms part of its efforts to use technology to provide convenient, accessible and efficient services to clients across the country.
“DVLA remains dedicated to leveraging modern technology to provide convenient, accessible, and efficient services to all clients across the country,” the Authority stated.
The DVLA, established under the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority Act, 1999 (Act 569), operates more than 37 service centres nationwide and issues over 120,000 licences annually, with approximately 15,800 vehicles registered monthly.
