Driving in Ghana vs. Romania: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roadways of Ghana and Romania, understand the notable distinctions in regulations and practices that impact your travel experience. From speed limits to lane usage, each country presents its own unique set of guidelines. Familiarizing yourself with these essential driving nuances will enhance your safety and ensure a smoother journey abroad.
Lanes
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ghana:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist