Driving in Ghana vs. Indonesia: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Ghana and Indonesia. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation. Discover how to navigate the roads confidently and responsibly in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
indonesia:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
ghana:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
indonesia:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
indonesia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
indonesia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Indonesia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days