Driving in Ghana vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Ghana and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences behind the wheel. Key distinctions include the presence of dedicated bus and cycling lanes in Taiwan, contrasted with Ghana’s more uniform road structure. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 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, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| 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 mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately