1968 International Driving Permit required
RequiredGhana recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP, which UK drivers obtain from the Post Office for GBP 5.50; carry it alongside your UK/EU photocard licence.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Ghana
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Ghana: 8 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
5
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Ghana
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1968 International Driving Permit required
Ghana recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP, which UK drivers obtain from the Post Office for GBP 5.50; carry it alongside your UK/EU photocard licence.
Passport with 6 months validity and visa
UK and most EU nationals need a visa obtained in advance from the Ghana High Commission; passport must be valid 6 months beyond entry.
Yellow fever certificate
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry and checked at the border; without it you can be refused or vaccinated on the spot.
Local third-party insurance at border
UK/EU green cards are not valid; buy ECOWAS Brown Card or Ghanaian third-party motor insurance at the border or in Accra before driving.
Drive on the right
Ghana drives on the right-hand side of the road, opposite to the UK; take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits 50/80/100 km/h
Urban areas 50 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, and the Accra-Tema and Accra-Kumasi expressways 100 km/h; speed cameras operate on the main routes.
Zero-tolerance drink-drive limit
BAC limit is 0.08 g/L but enforcement is strict at police checkpoints; safest approach is do not drink at all before driving.
USD 10,000 cash declaration limit
Amounts above USD 10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared to customs on entry and exit; undeclared cash can be seized.
Documents
Passport with 6 months validity and visa
RequiredUK and most EU nationals need a visa obtained in advance from the Ghana High Commission; passport must be valid 6 months beyond entry.
Yellow fever certificate
RequiredProof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry and checked at the border; without it you can be refused or vaccinated on the spot.
Local third-party insurance at border
RequiredUK/EU green cards are not valid; buy ECOWAS Brown Card or Ghanaian third-party motor insurance at the border or in Accra before driving.
Carnet de Passage for own vehicle
RecommendedBringing a foreign-registered car requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane; without it expect a temporary import bond at customs based on vehicle value.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredGhana drives on the right-hand side of the road, opposite to the UK; take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits 50/80/100 km/h
RequiredUrban areas 50 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, and the Accra-Tema and Accra-Kumasi expressways 100 km/h; speed cameras operate on the main routes.
Zero-tolerance drink-drive limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.08 g/L but enforcement is strict at police checkpoints; safest approach is do not drink at all before driving.
Seatbelts and no phones
RecommendedFront and rear seatbelts mandatory, and handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited with on-the-spot fines.
Frequent police checkpoints
Good to knowExpect numerous police and military checkpoints, especially at night and near borders; have licence, IDP, insurance and passport ready and remain polite.
Emergency number 191 / 999
Good to knowDial 191 for police, 192 for fire and 193 for ambulance; 999 also works but response times outside Accra can be slow.
Avoid driving after dark
RecommendedFCDO advises against driving outside cities at night due to unlit roads, livestock, broken-down lorries and higher accident rates.
Tolls
Tolls suspended since 2021
Good to knowRoad tolls on the Accra-Tema, Tema-Akosombo and other highways were abolished in November 2021; no vignette or sticker is required.
Required equipment
Warning triangle and spare wheel
RecommendedA warning triangle, spare tyre, jack and reflective vest are expected at police checkpoints; fire extinguisher and first aid kit are also commonly requested.
Environment
Harmattan dust and rainy season hazards
RecommendedDecember to February brings Harmattan dust reducing visibility, and the May-June and September-October rains flood roads and wash out rural tracks.
Money
Cedi cash and fuel around EUR 1.00/L
Good to knowCurrency is the Ghanaian Cedi (GHS); petrol costs roughly GHS 15 per litre (about EUR 1.00), card payment is rare at fuel stations so carry cash.
USD 10,000 cash declaration limit
RequiredAmounts above USD 10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared to customs on entry and exit; undeclared cash can be seized.
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Drive on the right
RequiredGhana drives on the right-hand side of the road, opposite to the UK; take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits 50/80/100 km/h
RequiredUrban areas 50 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, and the Accra-Tema and Accra-Kumasi expressways 100 km/h; speed cameras operate on the main routes.
Zero-tolerance drink-drive limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.08 g/L but enforcement is strict at police checkpoints; safest approach is do not drink at all before driving.