Driving in Ivory Coast vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
When exploring the roadways of Ivory Coast and Trinidad and Tobago, drivers encounter distinct rules and norms that shape their travel experiences. From driving on opposite sides of the road to varying speed limits and unique traffic regulations, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each nation.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ivory coast:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 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. | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Insurance
ivory coast:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| 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 |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days