Ghana's Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) replaced the 2012 regulations and set fines in penalty units, with typical traffic offences such as speeding, jumping a red light or improper parking at 10 to 30 units and heavier penalties for phone use, drink-driving and not wearing a seat belt. Press coverage values one penalty unit at GH¢12, which puts a 10-unit fine at GH¢120. The details below come from press summaries of the regulations published in September 2026, not from the legal text itself, so treat them as a guide to scale and check the regulations or an official source before relying on a specific number.
What changed in 2026
MyJoyOnline described the new instrument as 247 regulations covering vehicle registration and licensing, commercial transport, enforcement by camera and device, and schedules of forms, signs and fines. Reports also mentioned a minimum age of 21 instead of 25, a change earlier reporting linked to commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders, stricter provisions on alcohol, a rule that vehicle owners should have a towing subscription or insurance that includes towing, and a licensing framework for commercial motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles. The regulations sit alongside the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153). If you learned the rules from an older guide, some of it will be out of date.
Common offences and penalties
These figures are from press summaries of the new fines schedule published on 17 and 18 September 2026. "Units" means penalty units, and "or both" refers to a fine, imprisonment, or both.
| Offence | Regulation | Fine in penalty units | Imprisonment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding above the prescribed limit | 212 | 10 to 25 | Up to 30 days, or both |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 132 | Up to 50 | Up to 3 months, or both |
| Not wearing a seat belt | 144 | 10 to 50 | Up to 8 months, or both |
| Riding without a helmet or reflective clothing | 109 | 25 to 50 | 1 to 3 months, or both |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 131 | 50 to 200 | Up to 40 months, or both |
| Jumping a red light | 222(7)-(8) | 10 to 30 | Up to 30 days, or both |
| Failing to stop or yield at a sign or crossing | 222(1)-(6) | 10 to 30 | Up to 30 days |
| Improper parking | 228, 235 | 10 to 25 | Up to 30 days (longer for disability bays) |
| Overloading a vehicle | 118 | 25 to 50 | Up to 3 months, or both |
| Disobeying a traffic officer or device | 226(3) | 10 to 25 | Up to 30 days |
| General offence with no set penalty | 243 | 10 to 50 | Up to 8 months, or both |
The reports did not set out speed limits, the alcohol concentration limit or child-restraint rules, so we do not give numbers for those. Speed limits are posted on signs, and the Highway Code you receive as a learner is the starting reference. The learner's licence guide explains how to get it.
Camera and device enforcement
The regulations allow offences recorded by traffic enforcement devices to attract graduated fines. One summary describes these as:
- First to third offence: 10 penalty units (GH¢120).
- Fourth offence: 15 penalty units (GH¢180).
- Fifth offence: 20 penalty units (GH¢240).
- Sixth offence within 24 months: possible suspension or revocation of the licence by a court for at least 12 months, with retraining and retesting.
Courts may also order retraining under regulation 244 for careless, reckless or wilful offending, in addition to a fine or prison term. Camera enforcement runs under a Ghana Police Service system called TRAFFITECH-GH. A Motor Traffic and Transport Department press release, reported by the Ghana News Agency on 29 September 2026, said full enforcement had been moved from 1 October to 1 November 2026. According to that release, staff review the camera footage before a penalty is issued, the vehicle owner then receives an Electronic Notice of Violation (ENV) by SMS, payment goes through the Government of Ghana e-payment platform (*222#) or other official options, and anyone who disagrees can contest the offence in court. None of that involves handing cash to someone at the roadside, so be wary of anyone who demands it and ask for official documentation.
Documents to carry
Police, including officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department, can ask to see your licence, the vehicle registration, a valid roadworthiness certificate and motor insurance. Third-party cover is the legal minimum. If you have lost your licence, our page on replacing a lost licence explains what to do. If it is nearing expiry, the renewal guide covers timing.
Motorcycles and commercial riders
Commercial riders now need a commercial rider's licence from DVLA under regulation 164, as reported, and every rider faces the helmet and reflective clothing rule shown in the table. The licensing side, including the transition period, is covered on our licence classes page.
Why the numbers matter
In October 2026 the Motor Traffic and Transport Department reported 10,157 road crashes and 2,151 deaths across Ghana between January and September, as reported by Graphic Online. Earlier figures for January to August were reported inconsistently in the press, so we use the later total. That toll helps explain why penalties for phone use, drink-driving and unrestrained passengers have been set high and why enforcement is moving towards cameras. A single serious offence can cost far more than the fine, once you add lost licence time, insurance consequences and legal costs.
What to do if you are fined
- Ask what offence you are charged with and under which regulation.
- Get the notice in writing and keep a copy.
- Pay only through an official channel shown on the notice.
- If you disagree, follow the dispute route on the notice rather than ignoring it.
- Keep your receipt; unpaid penalties can compound.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a penalty unit worth?
Press coverage of the 2026 regulations gives GH¢12 per unit, which matches the cedi amounts quoted for camera-detected offences. The value is set by separate legislation and can change, so verify it before relying on a cedi amount.
What is the fine for using a phone while driving?
Reports of the 2026 regulations give up to 50 penalty units, up to three months in prison, or both, under regulation 132.
Can I lose my licence for repeated camera-detected offences?
Reports describe possible suspension or revocation for at least 12 months after a sixth offence within 24 months, with retraining and retesting.
Are the 2012 regulations still in force?
No. Press coverage states that the 2026 regulations (L.I. 2519) replaced the 2012 regulations (L.I. 2180).
Where can I read the actual regulations?
Ghana's regulations are published by the government, and DVLA and the National Road Safety Authority publish guidance. Ask them for the current text if your case depends on it.