Ghana (GH)
Ghana is one of West Africa's most attractive expat bases: English-speaking, politically stable, culturally warm and increasingly connected to the global African diaspora.
Driving in Ghana
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Driving in Ghana is governed by the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) as amended by the Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2025 (Act 1153), administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). Ghana drives on the right — the country switched from left-hand traffic in 1974. Road conditions in Accra can be congested; intercity routes include good highways and poor secondary roads. Hazards include potholes, motorbikes, pedestrians, police checks and seasonal flooding. The 2025 Amendment Act (in force 2026) reduces the drink-drive BAC to 50mg/100mL, mandates child restraints for children up to 12 and legalises commercial motorcycles (okada).
Driving Licence Exchange
Foreign drivers may use a valid foreign licence and IDP for short-term stays, but long-term residents should apply to DVLA for a Ghana driving licence. Ghana is an ECOWAS member but ECOWAS licence recognition does not grant indefinite driving rights after establishing residence. EU licences carry no special status.
Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Niger
Citizens of ECOWAS member states may benefit from some licence recognition provisions within the region. However, for long-term residence in Ghana, DVLA requires conversion to a Ghana licence. Apply to DVLA with your ECOWAS member state licence, Ghana Card (or passport), residence permit and applicable fee. Theory or practical tests may be required at DVLA's discretion.
ECOWAS recognition is not indefinite after establishing residence. Confirm current rules with DVLA before relying on a foreign ECOWAS licence for long-term driving. Insurance terms may be stricter than police practice.
EU licence holders are treated as foreign nationals with no special advantage in Ghana. For short-term stays: carry your EU licence plus an IDP. For long-term residence: apply to DVLA for a Ghana driving licence. Bring your EU licence, valid passport, Ghana Card or residence permit, photos and applicable fee. A theory test and/or practical driving test may be required.
EU membership confers no advantage in Ghana's licensing system. The Ghana Card (National ID for foreign residents) is required for most DVLA processes.
Apply to DVLA for a Ghana driving licence. Steps: (1) Obtain medical/eye certificate from an approved clinic. (2) Submit application with your foreign licence, passport, Ghana Card or residence permit, photos and fee. (3) Sit the DVLA theory test (Highway Code Ghana). (4) Pass the practical driving test. (5) Ghana smart-card driving licence issued. Short-term visitors: carry your valid foreign licence plus a valid IDP.
Apply at the DVLA head office in Accra or a regional DVLA office. Use official channels — fraudulent licence agents operate widely. Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks.
Road Rules
Urban areas and built-up localities: 50 km/h. Highways and trunk roads outside built-up areas: 100 km/h unless otherwise posted. School zones and market areas: posted at lower limits. Speeding fine: GHS 100–500; severe speeding may result in 6 months to 7 years imprisonment under Act 683. Speed cameras and police patrols enforce limits on major highways.
50 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood (0.05%) — reduced from 80mg/100mL by the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025 (Act 1153), in force 2026. DUI penalty: fine and/or imprisonment; licence suspension. Police conduct breath tests at checkpoints. Practical advice: zero alcohol before driving, especially given the 50mg/100mL threshold that a single drink can exceed for many adults.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is strictly prohibited under the Road Traffic Act. Only hands-free devices are permitted. Fine: GHS 200–500 for violation; police checkpoints actively enforce this. Accidents caused while using a phone can result in criminal prosecution.
Mandatory for all occupants in front and rear seats. DVLA roadside fine for no seatbelt: GHS 225. Enforcement has increased significantly since the 2025 amendment. Children under 12 are prohibited from sitting in the front seat.
Children up to the age of 12 must use appropriate Child Restraint Systems (CRS) — mandated by the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025 (Act 1153). Fine for non-compliance: GHS 225+. Bring quality ECE-certified child seats from home — local availability and quality vary.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Traffic fines are administered by the DVLA (roadside inspections) and the Ghana Police Service. DVLA conducts roadside exercises targeting common violations. Always request an official receipt for any fine paid. Never offer bribes — if unsure, call 191 (Ghana Police). Fine amounts shown reflect DVLA 2025–2026 roadside schedule and Act 683 as amended.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (general, over posted limit) | GHS 100–500; severe cases: court prosecution | — |
| Drink driving (BAC above 50mg/100mL) | Fine + licence suspension + possible imprisonment | — |
| Using handheld mobile phone while driving | GHS 200–500 | — |
| Not wearing seatbelt (driver or front passenger) | GHS 225 | — |
| No child restraint (child up to 12) | GHS 225 | — |
| Driving without a valid driving licence | GHS 225 + possible prosecution | — |
| Expired driver's licence | GHS 225 | — |
| Expired roadworthy certificate sticker | GHS 225 + vehicle stop risk | — |
| False or altered number plates | GHS 225 + criminal prosecution risk | — |
| Worn-out tyres or faulty equipment | GHS 225 + vehicle stop | — |
| Dangerous driving causing injury or death | Criminal prosecution; fine and/or imprisonment | — |
Buying a Car
Ghana's used-car market is dominated by imported Tokunbo (foreign-used) vehicles from Japan, Korea, USA and Europe. Customs duty and port charges add significantly to vehicle costs. Always verify DVLA registration, customs clearance and roadworthy status before purchase. cheki.com.gh and Tonaton.com are the major online platforms.
- 1.Search listings on Cheki.com.gh (major Ghana car marketplace) or Tonaton.com (general classifieds with a large vehicles section).
- 2.Verify the seller is the registered owner: check the DVLA vehicle registration certificate and confirm chassis/VIN number matches.
- 3.Request the vehicle's roadworthy certificate from DVLA — must be current.
- 4.Verify customs clearance: obtain a copy of the customs entry/clearance document for imported vehicles.
- 5.Commission an independent mechanic inspection before purchase.
- 6.Agree on price. Prepare a written sale agreement (purchase receipt).
- 7.Pay via bank transfer or cash against receipt.
- 8.Transfer ownership at DVLA: submit sale agreement, both parties' IDs, registration certificate, roadworthy certificate and DVLA transfer fee.
- 9.Arrange mandatory third-party insurance before driving.
- •DVLA vehicle registration certificate — confirm seller is registered owner.
- •Customs clearance document — for imported vehicles; avoid vehicles with unpaid duty.
- •Roadworthy certificate (DVLA) — must be current.
- •Valid third-party motor insurance — mandatory before driving.
- •Chassis/VIN number: physically verify against all documents.
- •Ghana Police stolen vehicle check — request a clearance report for high-value purchases.
Budget for: purchase price (used small car: GHS 25,000–60,000; mid-range: GHS 60,000–150,000+), DVLA ownership transfer fee (~GHS 200–500), roadworthy certificate renewal (~GHS 100–300), third-party insurance (~GHS 500–3,000/year depending on vehicle value), annual road licence (varies by vehicle cc/type), and ongoing fuel and maintenance costs.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
Vehicle registration is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA — dvla.gov.gh). New vehicle registration requires: customs clearance certificate (for imports), purchase invoice, insurance certificate, valid owner ID (Ghana Card or passport) and registration fee. On ownership transfer: both parties attend DVLA with sale agreement, both IDs, current registration certificate, valid roadworthy certificate and transfer fee. DVLA has offices in Accra (head office) and regional centres.
Third-party motor insurance (minimum cover) is mandatory before any vehicle is driven on a public road under the Road Traffic Act. Comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended. Available from National Insurance Commission (NIC) licenced insurers including Star Assurance, Enterprise Insurance, Activa International and others. Annual premiums for private cars: approximately GHS 500–5,000+ depending on vehicle value and cover level. Confirm insurer is NIC-licenced.
Annual road licence fee is collected by DVLA and must be renewed each year. The fee depends on vehicle type, engine size and fuel type. Non-renewal is an offence and results in a roadside fine (GHS 225+). Road licence disc must be displayed on the windscreen. New vehicles: licence is included in the registration process.
All registered vehicles must hold a valid roadworthy certificate (vehicle inspection certificate) issued by DVLA. Annual renewal is required for most private vehicles. The inspection covers brakes, lights, tyres, emissions, horn, mirrors and structural integrity. Conducted at DVLA inspection centres. Fee: approximately GHS 100–300 for private cars (2026 rates). Smoky exhaust/emissions violations are also checked at roadside inspections — DVLA roadside fine: GHS 225. Driving with an expired roadworthy sticker: GHS 225 fine + vehicle stop risk.
Cycling
Cycling as a commuter mode is uncommon for expats in Accra and major Ghanaian cities due to traffic conditions, heat and minimal cycle infrastructure. Recreational cycling is growing — a small community of road cyclists ride early morning routes. The okada (commercial motorcycle) industry was legalised by the 2025 Road Traffic Amendment Act, which has changed the two-wheeled transport landscape significantly.
- •Cyclists must ride on the right side of the road (Ghana drives on the right).
- •Lights (front white, rear red) are recommended at night — cycling without lights on unlit roads is extremely dangerous.
- •Helmet is strongly recommended — not legally mandatory for cyclists but essential given road conditions.
- •Cycling on expressways and major highways is prohibited and very dangerous.
- •Cycling under the influence of alcohol: the 50mg/100mL BAC limit effectively applies.
- •Ride only in the early morning (5–7 am) on main roads before heat and traffic build.
- •Accra: Labadi Beach Road, Airport residential area and Cantonments are relatively safer routes.
- •Join the Ghana Road Runners cycling community or look for expat cycling groups on Facebook.
- •Lock with a quality D-lock — bicycle theft is common in urban areas.
- •Carry water, sunscreen and a puncture repair kit — heat is intense and shops are sparse on most routes.
- •Air quality near traffic-heavy roads can be very poor; check conditions before setting out.