Driving in Egypt vs. Ivory Coast: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Egypt and Ivory Coast, understanding the unique traffic regulations and practices is essential for safe travel. Key variations include the presence and usage of bus and cycle lanes, speed limits across different areas, and enforcement protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions will enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
ivory coast:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
ivory coast:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
ivory coast:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
ivory coast:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
ivory coast:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
ivory coast:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
ivory coast:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
egypt:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
ivory coast:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
ivory coast:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 171 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
ivory coast:
171
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated