Driving in The Bahamas vs. Nigeria: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Bahamas and Nigeria, distinct variations in traffic rules and regulations come to light. From driving on different sides of the road to unique speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Discover how these two nations prioritize safety on their diverse terrains.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 | Not allowed. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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 |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | 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
bahamas:
25 mph
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
nigeria:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
nigeria:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahamas:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bahamas | 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 | 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 | English; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahamas:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahamas:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahamas:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahamas:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahamas:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahamas:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
bahamas:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Bahamas | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bahamas:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | 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 | Less 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 left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bahamas:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahamas:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bahamas:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahamas:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahamas:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | 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: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
nigeria:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bahamas:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | 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 left 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
bahamas:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
bahamas:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bahamas:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | 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 | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense