Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs. Maldives
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Ivory Coast and the Maldives, significant distinctions emerge. From contrasting lanes and speed limits to varied road etiquette and alcohol regulations, understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Discover how these two countries approach vehicular navigation and road safety differently.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| 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 legal. |
| 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. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
ivory coast:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| 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 | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
ivory coast:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
maldives:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
ivory coast:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
maldives:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Lane Usage: Right
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
ivory coast:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time