Driving in Ghana vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Discover the unique roadway regulations and safety measures in Ghana and the United Arab Emirates. While both nations enforce traffic rules, significant distinctions emerge in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
ghana:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay