Driving Differences: China vs. Ivory Coast Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between China and Ivory Coast. From speed limits to lane usage and traffic signals, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe travels abroad. Whether you’re navigating busy urban centers or rural routes, grasping these variations can enhance your overall driving experience.
Lanes
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
ivory coast:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
ivory coast:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
ivory coast:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | 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 | Chinese; symbols also used | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
china:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
ivory coast:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
china:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| China | 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 | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 171 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
ivory coast:
171
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated