Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Norway: Key Differences
In this insightful comparison, we explore the distinct driving regulations and road safety practices in Ivory Coast and Norway. Key differences emerge in speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption laws, highlighting the contrasting approaches to vehicular conduct. Whether navigating urban areas or rural landscapes, understanding these variations is essential for a secure experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 90-100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
norway:
Not used in Norway
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
norway:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| 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 | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay