Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Jamaica: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Ivory Coast and Jamaica, distinct variations emerge in traffic regulations and driving practices. Notably, Ivory Coast drives on the right while Jamaica adheres to the left. Understanding these critical disparities, from speed limits to overtaking rules, is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
ivory coast:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
ivory coast:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ivory coast:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
ivory coast:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
ivory coast:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
ivory coast:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
ivory coast:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ivory coast:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
ivory coast:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
ivory coast:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ivory coast:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ivory coast:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
ivory coast:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ivory coast:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ivory coast:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ivory coast:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ivory coast:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ivory coast:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
ivory coast:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
ivory coast:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
ivory coast:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ivory coast:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ivory coast:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines