Driving Differences: Ghana vs Spain Explained
When comparing the driving regulations of Ghana and Spain, notable distinctions emerge that enhance road safety for travelers. While Ghana generally advises against overtaking, Spain prohibits it unless on one-way streets. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption laws also vary significantly, highlighting the importance of understanding these variations for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.