Driving Differences: Cambodia vs Nigeria Explained
Explore the unique driving practices between Cambodia and Nigeria, two vibrant nations with distinct road regulations. Key variations include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency signals. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey as you navigate the roads in either country.
Lanes
| Cambodia | 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: 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: 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
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
cambodia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cambodia:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cambodia:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cambodia:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Cambodia | 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 | N/A | 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 | Khmer and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cambodia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cambodia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
cambodia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cambodia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
cambodia:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
cambodia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cambodia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cambodia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Cambodia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
cambodia:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Cambodia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
cambodia:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | 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 as means of communication | 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
cambodia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cambodia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
cambodia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
cambodia:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
cambodia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and 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
cambodia:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cambodia:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
cambodia:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Cambodia | 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
cambodia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
cambodia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
cambodia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
cambodia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 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
cambodia:
119
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are 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 | Varies; penalties applied | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
nigeria:
Varies by offense