Driving in Barbados vs. Ivory Coast: Key Differences
When traveling between Barbados and Ivory Coast, understanding the road rules is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Barbados versus the right in Ivory Coast, varying speed limits, and unique lane regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these driving customs can significantly enhance your experience abroad.
Lanes
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
ivory coast:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
ivory coast:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
ivory coast:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| 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
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Headlight Flash: Usage
barbados:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | 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
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | 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
barbados:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
ivory coast:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated