Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When exploring the nuances of vehicular navigation, understanding the distinctions between Ivory Coast and the Netherlands is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed regulations, and alcohol limits, which can significantly impact road safety. Dive into this comparison to enhance your awareness and preparedness while driving abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| 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 often distinct red coloring. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Netherlands |
| 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 | Dutch; 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
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
netherlands:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| 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
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
netherlands:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required