The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has switched to the “26” vehicle number plate suffix, abandoning plans to introduce a new registration system after lawmakers failed to pass required legal amendments before Parliament went on recess.
The change took effect on Jan. 2, 2026, keeping in place the year-based numbering system that the Authority had planned to scrap in favour of a technology-driven regime.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, DVLA Director of Corporate Affairs Stephen Attuh said amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations, L.I. 2180, were a prerequisite for rolling out the new plates.
“The specific regulations in the LI-2180, which we require to be able to amend before we can introduce the plate, that was not successfully done before Parliament went on recess. And so being a law guiding institution, that regime must actually be in place before we can roll out the new license plate. And the absence of that, we are compelled to go along with the current registration system or regime that we have,” he said.
The DVLA had planned to eliminate year-based suffixes and issue RFID-enabled number plates that could be digitally scanned for vehicle tracking, tolling, speed monitoring and law enforcement. Those plans were put on hold after the legislative changes were not passed in time.
“So, we’ve moved from the suffix 25, which is for the year 2025, to the suffix 26, which is beginning today. So instead of the original plan of taking away the suffix, unfortunately, because we couldn’t go through, that would be allowed to happen until we get the amendment done, then we can roll on to the new system and the new platform and then issue out those plates,” Attuh added.
The Authority said it would introduce the new number plate system and its digital platform once Parliament approves the necessary amendments. Until then, vehicle registrations will continue under the existing year-based suffix system.
