Driving Differences: Ghana vs. Iceland Explained
When navigating the roads of Ghana and Iceland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can impact their journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption guidelines. This comparison will help travelers understand essential driving norms to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
ghana:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Signals
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ghana:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
ghana:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ghana:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame