Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Kenya: Key Differences Uncovered
When navigating the roads of Ivory Coast and Kenya, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in Ivory Coast and left in Kenya—as well as varying speed limits and signaling practices at roundabouts. Familiarizing yourself with these essential variations can significantly enhance your road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
kenya:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
ivory coast:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
kenya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Kenya |
| 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 | English and Kiswahili; 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
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
kenya:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
kenya:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
kenya:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
kenya:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kenya:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay