International Driving Permit Ivory Coast
From the towering grassy mountains of Mt. Nimba in the north to the lagoons and breaking Atlantic waves in the south, the misty rainforests of chimpanzees in the west, and the vast cacao and tobacco plantations in the east, Côte d’Ivoire is a truly vast slab. They trek through the empty paths of Thailand and Comoe, sample flavorful cassava and cashew curry on the muddy roads of Korhogo, and see curious primates rocking the country’s trees. So take a holiday in these beautiful places, and tour yourself around Ivory Coast in a rental car.
What is the difference between an International Driving Permit (IDP) and an International Driver’s License (IDL)?
An International Driving Permit is a small grey booklet marginally larger than a passport containing a translation of your original driving license in 10 languages, including English, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish. It is recognized by 141 countries worldwide and is valid for one year.
In comparison, an International Driving License is not a legal document and cannot be used to drive in foreign countries or instead of an IDP.
United Nations agreement on road traffic laws
The Geneva Convention on Road Transport was signed in Geneva on September 19, 1949. One hundred and one states have ratified the treaty. Since it came into force on March 26, 1952, it has replaced previous treaties relating to road traffic, especially the 1926 International Convention on Vehicle Transportation and the International Convention on Roads, among the signatories (“Parties”). Convention on Transportation and Regulation of Inter-US Automotive Traffic under Article 30 of the Convention. Many Parties have also ratified the more recent Convention, the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, in 1968. Among the signatories of the 1968 Vienna Convention, this replaces the previous Road Transport Convention, including the Vienna Convention on Road Transport, per Article 48 of the Convention.
Benefits of carrying an IDP
All non-resident drivers require an international driver’s license, which is legal to drive in many countries. If you don’t have it and you’re caught by law enforcement, you risk being hit by heavy fines. Simplify communication with local governments. The International Driving Permit presents US driver’s license information in 10 languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian, Swedish, and Portuguese).
International driving permits need to rent a car from a large company. If you are considering renting a car, remember that most major car rental companies in most countries require the rental company to present a valid international driver’s license. This also applies to countries where it is not legally required for foreign drivers to have this document. For some, knowing that illegal activity can lead to fines can be stressful and overwhelming.
Applying for an IPD
Applications can also be submitted on our website. Apply online – you must provide the necessary information:
- Your current driving license details
- Photographs
- Identity card (or any form applicable)
You can receive a digital copy of your IDP within 2 hours of filling out the application form, which will take 20 minutes.
Inter-American driving permit
An Inter-American driving permit (IADP) is an ID card that gives the owner the right to drive a private car in any foreign country if a valid driver’s license from their government is attached. Inter-American driving permits are similar to the International Driving Permit (IDP) but unique to North America, Central America, and South American drivers. To qualify for an Inter-American driving permit, you must have a valid driver’s license. The IADP is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention, so it may not be issued in all countries in the Americas. Therefore, most foreign countries only issue IDPs.
Driving requirements for the Ivory coast
Foreigners can drive in Côte d’Ivoire with an International Driving Permit (IDP). You must have a valid driver’s license for your IDP to be considered valid. The minimum driving age is 18 years. You can apply for a permit online through our website. All you need is your current driver’s license, photo, and ID.
The IDP contains your name and driver’s license, but the IDP does not replace your local driver’s license, and IDP is only used as a translation of a native driver’s license. An International Driving Permit is not only used for transactions in the countries you visit, and IDP is used in combination with a national driver’s license.
IDPs and native licenses are valid for up to 6 months, after which we recommend exchanging licenses. If you plan to stay longer, you can exchange your local driver’s request for a local driver’s license. Expatriates with a foreign driver’s license will need to convert it to a local driver’s license. First, a foreign driver’s license must be certified by the responsible authority in your home country. As a general rule, you should submit your application to the municipality closest to where your driver’s license was issued. The rest of the procedure is then performed in Côte d’Ivoire. The application process is free, and your request will be processed within 24 hours.
The transportation department will then issue an exchange permit. The exchange permit must be presented to the Center intégrée (CGI). The major cities of Côte d’Ivoire have several branches, including Yamoussoukro, San Pedro and Abidjan. You will also need to show your original driver’s license and ID. After that, a new local driver’s license will be issued at the administration fee. This is usually 88,500 CFA francs.
Car rental in the Ivory coast
For first-time travelers renting cars may seem confusing, especially when traveling abroad. If you plan to rent a vehicle on Ivory Coast, you must understand many vital facts to decide. It also includes a list of necessary items to rent a car, a list of inclusions, etc.
You may book online for car rental sooner; you will reduce delays on arriving in the Ivory Coast if your choice of car is all you think about. Tourists must have rented a car to explore the Ivory coast. The easiest option for making a reservation online is to compare different companies offering your desired service that is perfect for your budget.
The minimum yearly age requirement to rent a car and to drive on Ivory Coast is 21 years for a resident of a foreign country. People under 25 may also be required to pay a young driver’s fee. Aside from that, driving a car through Ivory Coast without paying for it is impossible, and you will have to pay the registration fee upon arrival. Rent a car daily can range from around $50 to $100.
The rental process for the Ivory Coast vehicles is straightforward. The car rental company will ask you to bring the documentation. You can get the International driving permit online at our website. You must obtain all necessary documents to be legally driving in Ivory Coast, and this document above must be provided to car rental firms upon collection.
Most Côte d’Ivoire car rental companies offer pick-up and drop-off at the airport desk, but while they offer off-airport pick-up, they also provide a free airport shuttle to the car rental depot. There is also. There are also several downtown offices so you can choose the most convenient location for your hotel. When renting a car with an Ivory Coast car rental in Côte d’Ivoire, it is indicated whether the pick-up location at the airport is the rental desk or the shuttle bus pick-up.
When choosing a rental car in Côte d’Ivoire, it is crucial to consider your travel needs and determine the correct size vehicle to accommodate your group while traveling. If you plan to spend most of your time in Valletta, a small or medium-sized car is the best choice. If your trip is a family vacation and luggage capacity is an issue, consider renting a 7-seater or van.
Driving rules in Ivory Coast
This region of Africa offers a perfect outdoor activity destination. You can hike on a mountain or walk on waterfalls while watching wildlife. To visit this place, you must bring a vehicle and be oriented by traffic laws.
Ivory Coast citizens drive on the right-hand side of the road, and this is almost the same side of the road that other countries have. By following the driving guidelines, you can drive safely. Therefore, you need to know that traffic rules apply on the right side of the road, and you need to drive on the right side and overtake on the left side. The minimum legal driving age in Ivory Coast is 18.
A seat belt is mandatory in Ivory Coast, and you will be heavily fined if caught without one. You must follow the compulsory seat belt law to ensure safety while driving in Cuba. Driver and passenger seat belts are mandatory. If you are traveling with your child, you must use a child seat. If you are driving a rental car and your child is under two years old, the child seat system is an essential tool. The child seat system helps reduce the risk of injury to the child in an accident.
Always be sure to keep your eyes on the road. You can use your mobile phone on a hands-free device; however, it’s recommended not to for your safety.
In Ivory Coast, the legal alcohol limit is 80 mg per 100 ml of blood. It is recommended that there should be no alcohol containers in the vehicle, regardless of whether the bottle containing the alcoholic beverage is open or not. Drinking moderately is allowed; however, don’t drink to stay on the safe side.
Some access roads to major cities are closed from midnight to 6 am. This applies to western access roads to Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, San Pedro, and all other major cities in the south. Get on-site advice on whether a “corridor” or “safe route” is in operation. Checkpoints can be harsh at night; do not try to pass after dark. Remember that grass and leaves on the road often mean accidents and other dangers. Road quality can vary widely, and stranded vehicles can be almost invisible after dark. Headlights and taillights are not working on many cars on country roads.
It is forbidden to take pictures near military installations, government buildings such as radio and television stations, residential buildings, airports, and confidential facilities such as the De Gaulle and Hoofe Bowany Bridges in Abidjan.
Roadblocks
Aside from the usual road conditions, cattle grazing, poor driving, and sometimes off vehicles, the primary consideration when driving in Cote d’Ivoire is how to make informal or official obstacles. They can easily transition from noisy behavior to violence and should be avoided, even if that means face-to-face at a safe distance. However, do not try to bypass official police or military obstacles. A vehicle attempting to retreat to avoid police obstacles was shot. Therefore, if you have doubts about whether an obstacle is authorized, you should assume it.
Road quality in Ivory Coast
The road network is generally good but worse. Driving conditions can be slow and dangerous due to frequent military checkpoints and obstacles across the country, poorly maintained and unlit vehicles, and poor driving skills. Conditions on roads are a little lacking but are improving, notably in the capital, where roads are built, and bridge construction has started. Drivers should take note of road hazards. Many roads are impenetrable during the wettest months (May-November). Petrol stations are frequently found, apart from the north.
Driving in the Winter Ivory coast
The Ivoire Coast is in Africa, so winter is not something to consider. It’s important not to travel between April through September, and the rainy seasons are May through November. Keep your kit handy for emergencies. Floods can occur during the rainy season, and roads are often impassable.
Top 6 Places to Visit in Ivory Coast
Grand Bassam
Proud to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site by Côte d’Ivoire, Grand-Bassam is a mix of elegant Parisian mansions and handmade urban colonial buildings in the Ancien Bassam district. It stands out. The region is now collapsing and squeaking with the times and was once the capital of France’s Côte d’Ivoire. Some buildings have been restored to their former glory, and visitors can still spy on the magnificent Cathédrale Sacré Cœur and the fascinating costume museum. The new Grand-Bassam is where most of today’s activities occur, but resort hotels are on the west and east beaches.
Abidjan
The vast and beating center of the country lies on the south coast along the extensive coastline of the Every Lagoon. With over 4 million inhabitants, the city is the second largest in West Africa. Although not officially the capital of Côte d’Ivoire (its honor is in Yamoussoukro), it may be an excellent city to explore the country.
Tai national park
Over 3,000 square kilometers, a huge slab is occupied by a vast protected area of Thai National Park, in the remains of the rain forest in northern Guinea, which was once the dominant habitat throughout West Africa from Gabon to Senegal. It is one of the largest protected areas in the country. A wilderness carved by a vast river valley, covered with moist forests, dotted with hills of another world, and bordered by a gentle savanna. And there is fauna such as the endangered pygmy hippopotamus, the swaying olive colobus, the duiker, and the chimpanzee.
San Pedro
The harbor of San Pedro emerges like a large tendril extending into the Atlantic Ocean from the forests of the southern part of Côte d’Ivoire. As the country’s second-largest port city, the area has produced large amounts of metal ore, minerals, and fish for decades. A vibrant, energetic, lovingly dark city exploded around them. There are low houses and dusty streets, all occasionally separated by nightclubs and beer bars. There are also many natural attractions nearby, from the pristine rainforests of upper Guinea in Thai National Park to the sparkling beaches of Bass Sassandra.
Bouaké
Bouake, one of the significant intersections north and south of Côte d’Ivoire, lies approximately halfway between the Atlantic coast, the northern border, eastern Guinea, and western Ghana. And while the nation’s division manifests itself in the form of United Nations peacekeeping forces, the city is like a fusion of different tribal and political influences at work, with a naive personality and interesting locals. However, the focus is on markets and arts and crafts. Not only will the entire Easter Plantation area be famous for its cotton production, but you will also find local traders trading them around the height of the cents.
FAQs
Is it necessary to have an IDP in Ivory Coast?
Currently, some nations still do not recognize driver’s licenses from US states but do legally recognize an IDP. The IDP could handle the above situations. While the governments of certain nations may not require an id for their vehicles, some car rental providers like Hertz may require an ID for this purpose. Purchase of IDPs before leaving could save countless potential hassles.
How much does an International Driving Permit cost for the Ivory Coast?
All our prices are available on our pricing page.
How long is an International Driving Permit valid for?
IDPs are valid for one year.
Is IDP essential in Ivory Coast?
The United Nations issue international driving permits to ensure your license is valid. Your identifying document is valid in 150 countries around the globe and contains your name, photo ID, and driver’s name.
Is it safe to drive on Ivory Coast?
Abidjan is at risk of violent crimes, stolen cars, armed robbery of private homes, street robbery, and stolen vehicles. These incidents are uncommon, but they do happen. In the car, lock the doors, close the windows and hide your valuables.
Is Ivory Coast an excellent place to visit?
The true beauty of Côte d’Ivoire is truly apparent when you leave the city. There are more than eight national parks in the country, including Comoe, West Africa’s largest protected area with the world’s most biodiversity savanna.