Driving in Ecuador vs. Ivory Coast: Key Differences
Discover the essential driving distinctions between Ecuador and Ivory Coast that impact your travel experience. From speed limits to lane usage and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Explore how each country approaches road etiquette, signage, and regulations to navigate confidently and responsibly abroad.
Lanes
| Ecuador | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | 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 |
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ecuador:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes, for some infractions. |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Ecuador | 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 in Ecuador | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
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
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
ivory coast:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
ecuador:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Ecuador | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection is 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: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | 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 | Frequent use in urban areas. | 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
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
ivory coast:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
ivory coast:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
ivory coast:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
ivory coast:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
ivory coast:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 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; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | 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
ecuador:
0.03%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
ivory coast:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
ivory coast:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
ivory coast:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | 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
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
ivory coast:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
ivory coast:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
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
| Ecuador | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | 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
ecuador:
911 or 112
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | 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
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
ivory coast:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
ivory coast:
Possible if fines are not paid