Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Ivory Coast and Serbia, drivers must be aware of distinct regulations and practices that influence their journey. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds, each tailored to ensure safety on the diverse terrains. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances is crucial for a secure and enjoyable experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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'; 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 colored pavement. |
| 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. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
serbia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
serbia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Serbia |
| 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 | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
serbia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
serbia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
serbia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
serbia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| 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; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
serbia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
serbia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay