Ghana implements new rules allowing auction of broken-down vehicles

Ghana has introduced new road traffic regulations that eliminate the previous 30-minute to one-hour grace period for motorists experiencing vehicle breakdowns. Under the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L. I. 2519) and the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153), vehicles disabled on public roads must be towed away immediately.

To comply with the law, vehicle owners are required to either subscribe to a towing service or maintain an insurance policy that includes towing coverage. In the event of a breakdown, drivers must place an advance warning triangle on the road and contact their towing provider. The towing company is then responsible for notifying the police or the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and transporting the vehicle to a designated storage facility.

Once a vehicle is moved to storage, owners have a limited window to reclaim it. If a vehicle remains unclaimed, it may be subject to a judicial auction. Owners will receive a seven-day notice before any sale occurs. If an auction is unsuccessful, the state may confiscate or scrap the vehicle.