The Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs. Madagascar
When navigating the roads of Ivory Coast and Madagascar, understanding their unique regulations and driving customs is essential for a secure journey. From speed limits and lane usage to vehicle documentation and penalties, these two nations exhibit notable contrasts that can impact your travel experience. Discover the key distinctions to ensure your road adventures remain safe and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
ivory coast:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ivory coast:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
ivory coast:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
ivory coast:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ivory coast:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| 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
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
madagascar:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
ivory coast:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
ivory coast:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority