Driving in Bhutan vs Nigeria: Key Differences Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the unique road regulations is vital for a safe journey. This comparison between Bhutan and Nigeria reveals notable distinctions, including driving on opposite sides, differing speed limits, and unique traffic etiquette. Explore how these driving customs can impact your experience and ensure you're well-prepared on the roads of these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Bhutan | 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost 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 |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bhutan | 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 Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bhutan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bhutan:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bhutan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bhutan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bhutan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
bhutan:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bhutan:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | 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 rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bhutan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bhutan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
bhutan:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
bhutan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | 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
bhutan:
0.08%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bhutan:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bhutan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
nigeria:
Varies by offense