Driving Differences: Argentina vs. Nigeria Explained
When exploring the roads of Argentina and Nigeria, you'll encounter significant variations in driving regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison highlights essential aspects of road safety, helping travelers navigate the unique challenges each country presents.
Lanes
| Argentina | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
argentina:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
argentina:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Argentina | 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 Argentina | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
argentina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
argentina:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
argentina:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
argentina:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
argentina:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
argentina:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Argentina | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
Special Turn Lanes
argentina:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Argentina | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
argentina:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | 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 in some areas | 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
argentina:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
argentina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
argentina:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
argentina:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
argentina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Argentina | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; 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: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
argentina:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Argentina | 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
argentina:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
argentina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
argentina:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense