Ghana vs Ivory Coast: Driving Differences You Must Know
As you prepare for your journey through Ghana and Ivory Coast, understanding the distinct driving norms is essential for a secure experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane regulations, and vehicle documentation requirements. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will help ensure your travels remain smooth and safe across these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Headlight Flash: Usage
ghana:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ghana:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 171 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
ivory coast:
171
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated