Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Nigeria: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations and driving practices of Ivory Coast and Nigeria, distinct variations emerge that can impact safety on foreign roads. From speed limits to lane usage and signaling, drivers must be aware of these crucial distinctions to navigate confidently and responsibly in both nations. Understanding these factors is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ivory coast:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rare but can apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not for other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in certain areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ivory coast:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
ivory coast:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
ivory coast:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
ivory coast:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ivory coast:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Turns
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
Special Turn Lanes
ivory coast:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | 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
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
ivory coast:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and can lead to fines |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
nigeria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ivory coast:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ivory coast:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
ivory coast:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
ivory coast:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ivory coast:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
ivory coast:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
ivory coast:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
nigeria:
Varies by offense