Driving in Brazil vs. Ivory Coast: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Brazil and Ivory Coast, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their experiences. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol allowances, both nations present unique driving environments that prioritize safety differently. Understanding these variations is crucial for a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
ivory coast:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | 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 | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Headlight Flash: Usage
brazil:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
brazil:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated