Driving in Colombia vs. Ghana: Key Differences Explained
Are you planning to drive in Colombia or Ghana? Our comprehensive comparison reveals essential distinctions in road regulations, speed limits, and safety requirements in these vibrant nations. From overtaking rules to alcohol limits, understanding these driving norms is crucial for a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Ghana |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
ghana:
Substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
ghana:
Common