Driving Differences: China vs. Ghana Explained
When traversing the roads of China and Ghana, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their driving experiences. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol thresholds and penalties, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Discover the notable contrasts and unique rules that govern these two diverse nations’ roadways.
Lanes
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Generally not advised. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
ghana:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
ghana:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
ghana:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Ghana |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
ghana:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
ghana:
Substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
ghana:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 18555 |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
ghana:
18555
Penalties And Fines
| China | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay