Driving in Ghana vs. Guatemala: Key Differences Explained
Explore the driving landscape in Ghana and Guatemala, where unique regulations and customs shape the road experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, the use of overtaking lanes, and blood alcohol concentration thresholds. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey when navigating foreign terrains.
Lanes
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ghana:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
guatemala:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 110 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
guatemala:
110
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities