Driving in Algeria vs. Ivory Coast: Key Differences
When planning a trip to Algeria or Ivory Coast, understanding the distinct traffic regulations and road practices is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations. Familiarize yourself with these variations to navigate safely and confidently in either country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
algeria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
algeria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
ivory coast:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated