Driving in Ivory Coast vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Ivory Coast and North Macedonia, drivers will encounter notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and alcohol laws, understanding these variations is crucial for safety. Familiarizing oneself with these contrasts ensures a smoother, more secure travel experience in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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' or 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 marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ivory coast:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
ivory coast:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
north macedonia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ivory coast:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| 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 | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay