Driving in Costa Rica vs. Nigeria: Key Differences Revealed
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations and driving norms between Costa Rica and Nigeria. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure travel experience abroad. Whether navigating urban streets or rural highways, being aware of these unique driving practices can significantly enhance your safety on the roads.
Lanes
| Costa rica | 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 | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | 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 | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | 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 | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Costa rica | 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 Costa Rica | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | 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 | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
costa rica:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
costa rica:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
costa rica:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
costa rica:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
costa rica:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
costa rica:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
costa rica:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Costa rica | 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 inspection required; proof required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
costa rica:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | 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 is common to signal intentions | 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
costa rica:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
costa rica:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
costa rica:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
costa rica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | 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
costa rica:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
costa rica:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | 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
costa rica:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
costa rica:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense