Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Paraguay: Key Differences
When comparing the road environments of Ivory Coast and Paraguay, several notable distinctions emerge. From lane usage regulations to speed limits and alcohol consumption thresholds, each nation displays unique driving norms. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and compliant experience while navigating unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| 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; may not always be separated by color. |
| 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.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ivory coast:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Paraguay |
| 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 | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
paraguay:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| 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
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
paraguay:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ivory coast:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Common; police checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days