Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs. United Arab Emirates
When comparing road regulations between Ivory Coast and the United Arab Emirates, notable contrasts emerge. From speed limits to lane usage, each country has unique practices that impact safety on the road. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for travelers seeking a secure driving experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
ivory coast:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-140 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| 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 | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moderate use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay