Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs. United Kingdom
When comparing the driving landscape of Ivory Coast and the United Kingdom, distinct contrasts emerge that significantly influence road safety. From driving on the right versus the left side, to varying speed limits and traffic regulations, this guide highlights essential differences to help ensure a secure driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
ivory coast:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
ivory coast:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
ivory coast:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
ivory coast:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ivory coast:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
united kingdom:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
ivory coast:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
ivory coast:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Not 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
united kingdom:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay