Driving in the Czech Republic vs. Ivory Coast: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Czech Republic and Ivory Coast, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that can significantly impact their journey. Key disparities lie in speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals, highlighting the importance of understanding local driving norms to ensure a secure experience abroad. Explore these vital contrasts to enhance your travel safety.
Lanes
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
czech republic:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
czech republic:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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, commonly applied | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
130 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
ivory coast:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used. | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border. | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
ivory coast:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
ivory coast:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
ivory coast:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
ivory coast:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
ivory coast:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
ivory coast:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
ivory coast:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
ivory coast:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
ivory coast:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
ivory coast:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
ivory coast:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
ivory coast:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
ivory coast:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
ivory coast:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
ivory coast:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
ivory coast:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
ivory coast:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
ivory coast:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
ivory coast:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, often at checkpoints. | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
ivory coast:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
ivory coast:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
ivory coast:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
ivory coast:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
ivory coast:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
ivory coast:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
czech republic:
112
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 or more. | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies; typically stipulated |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
ivory coast:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
ivory coast:
Possible if fines are not paid