Driving in Australia vs Ivory Coast: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the road etiquette and regulations in Australia and the Ivory Coast reveals notable distinctions that can impact your travel experience. From varying driving sides to speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring your safety and compliance while navigating foreign streets. Buckle up for a detailed analysis of these two fascinating driving landscapes!
Lanes
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
ivory coast:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
ivory coast:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
ivory coast:
Signal when exiting
Headlight Flash: Usage
australia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
australia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
ivory coast:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated