Driving Differences: Guatemala vs. Ivory Coast
When navigating the roads of Guatemala and Ivory Coast, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. From varying speed limits to the presence of designated bus and cycle lanes, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring safety and compliance while abroad. Discover the essential distinctions that can enhance your driving journey in these two vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
ivory coast:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
ivory coast:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| 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 red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Headlight Flash: Usage
guatemala:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
guatemala:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 171 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
ivory coast:
171
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated