Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs. Japan Explained
Driving in Ivory Coast and Japan presents unique challenges and regulations, reflecting each nation's distinct road culture. From varying speed limits to lane usage and alcohol limits, these differences are crucial for ensuring traveler safety. Understanding these contrasts can help drivers navigate more confidently and responsibly while abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
japan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ivory coast:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
japan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Japan |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
japan:
Not used in Japan
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
japan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
japan:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
japan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days