Driving in Afghanistan vs. Nigeria: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Nigeria, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their experience behind the wheel. Notable variations include speed limits, lane usage, and the enforcement of traffic laws, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring a secure journey in these countries.
Lanes
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only where permitted and safe. |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
afghanistan:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not commonly used |
Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rare but can apply for misuse |
Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers |
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not for other messages |
Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in certain areas |
Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English; symbols can vary |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
afghanistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
afghanistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
afghanistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
afghanistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
afghanistan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
afghanistan:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Insurance
afghanistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location |
Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and can lead to fines |
Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
afghanistan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
afghanistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
afghanistan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
afghanistan:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional roadblocks |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Fines vary across states |
Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
afghanistan:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
afghanistan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
afghanistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 199 |
Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Varies by region; check local contact |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Afghanistan | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common; usually with cash |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
nigeria:
Varies by offense