Driving in Fiji vs. Ivory Coast: Key Safety Differences
When driving in foreign lands, understanding local regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. This comparison between Fiji and Ivory Coast reveals significant contrasts, such as driving sides—left in Fiji and right in Ivory Coast—as well as varied speed limits and road etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions is essential for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | 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 |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
ivory coast:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
ivory coast:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
ivory coast:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | 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 | English; 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
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
fiji:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
fiji:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated