Motorists will soon be able to legally display celebratory messages like “Just Married” and “Called to the Bar” on their vehicles, under a new temporary plate system being rolled out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
The initiative, announced by DVLA Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, aims to stamp out the widespread but illegal practice of drivers attaching unofficial stickers and inscriptions to their number plates, a trend that has long been tolerated despite being against the law.
“Sometimes people write these things on their number plates, ‘Just Married’, ‘Rest in Peace’, ‘Gone Forever’, and those are not legal,” Mr Kotey explained.
“Rather than just ban them, we are now making it legal for you. Just come for it. You pay for it. It’s just one week.”
Under the new framework, motorists will be able to apply for official temporary plates to mark personal milestones such as weddings, funerals, or professional achievements like call to the Bar.
The plates will be valid for a limited period, seven days, after which they must be removed.
Mr Kotey illustrated the scope with a practical example: “So when someone graduates, passes out and gets called to the Bar, we can have ‘Called to the Bar’ or ‘Fresh Lawyer’ on the vehicle.”
The move is expected to bring a measure of order to a practice that has existed in a legal grey area for years.
While the DVLA has previously cracked down on unauthorised plate modifications, this new approach signals a shift toward regulation rather than prohibition, allowing citizens to personalise their vehicles for special occasions while maintaining compliance with road traffic regulations.
Details on application procedures, fees, and the full list of permitted messages are yet to be released, but the DVLA says the system will be operational in the coming weeks.
