Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs South Africa
When navigating the roads of Ivory Coast and South Africa, distinct variations in traffic regulations and practices can significantly impact your journey. Key disparities include driving on opposite sides of the road, alterations in speed limits, and approaches to road signage. Understanding these unique aspects is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ivory coast:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay