Ghana vs South Africa: Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the roadways of Ghana and South Africa, drivers must navigate significant variances in traffic rules and regulations. From the contrasting sides of the road—right in Ghana versus left in South Africa—to distinct speed limits and overtaking norms, understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring safe travels and smooth journeys across these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ghana:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
south africa:
Not applicable
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay