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Cross-border route

Ivory Coast Ghana

Driving across the border
Yes — you can drive from Ivory Coast into Ghana: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Ghana expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1968 Vienna Convention format. Both countries drive on the right, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance
FromIvory Coast
ToGhana
IDP in GhanaStrongly recommended
Accepted format1968 Vienna
Driving sideright (no change)
Currency in GhanaGHS
Emergency number191 (police), 193 (ambulance), 112
Top speed limit100 km/h on the N1 motorway
Driving in Ghana
Ivory CoastGhana

Crossing the border

Ivory Coast and Ghana share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Ghana

  • Drive on the right.
  • Heavy urban congestion in Accra.
  • 0.08% alcohol limit.
  • Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

What to see when you arrive in Ghana

  • the slave-trade castles of Cape Coast and Elmina
  • the Kakum National Park canopy walk
  • the Mole National Park
  • the markets of Accra
  • Lake Volta

Once you're driving in Ghana

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

A visitor may drive on a valid home licence for short stays; if the licence is not in English a certified translation or an International Driving Permit is needed, and for stays beyond 90 days a Ghanaian licence or IDP is required. Rental agencies commonly ask for the IDP.

Tolls & road charges

Ghana abolished all road and bridge tolls in the 2022 budget (effective late 2021), so there are currently no toll booths or passes to buy on public roads.

Parking in the cities

Central Accra parking is largely on-street and informal, with car-park boys and private lots charging a few cedis; congestion, double-parking and obstruction around markets like Makola can lead to clamping or removal, so prefer guarded hotel or mall car parks.

Fines & camera enforcement

Police checkpoints are frequent and foreign drivers are stopped for document checks; on-the-spot fines (often cash) apply for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, and rental companies pass any camera or unpaid fines on to the renter.

If you have an accident

Drive on the right; call the Police on 191 or the national emergency line 112, do not move vehicles after an injury crash, and get a police report, which is mandatory for any insurance or rental claim.

Driving in the capital

Accra's traffic is dominated by the heavily congested Ring Road, the N1 George Walker Bush Highway and the Tetteh Quarshie / Spintex interchange, where aggressive tro-tro minibuses stop without warning and gridlock is the daily norm.

Sources: graphic.com.gh · remitly.com · internationaldriversassociation.com · transparentrentals.com

Common questions

01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Ivory Coast to Ghana?
Yes — Ghana commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Ghana recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.
02
Does the driving side change between Ivory Coast and Ghana?
No. Both Ivory Coast and Ghana drive on the right.
03
What is the emergency number and speed limit in Ghana?
In Ghana, dial 191 (police), 193 (ambulance), 112 for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 100 km/h on the N1 motorway, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.
04
How do tolls and road charges work in Ghana?
Ghana abolished all road and bridge tolls in the 2022 budget (effective late 2021), so there are currently no toll booths or passes to buy on public roads.
05
How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?
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