Driving in Cuba vs Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique driving landscapes of Cuba and Nigeria in our comprehensive comparison. While both nations exhibit distinctive traffic regulations and road etiquette, notable contrasts emerge in lane markings, speed limits, and enforcement practices. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, making it vital for travelers to grasp local driving nuances.
Lanes
| Cuba | 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 | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the 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 | Rare | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cuba:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
nigeria:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cuba:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 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 | 50-70 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 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 | Rare | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Cuba | 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 Cuba | 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 Lights: Flashing Amber
cuba:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
cuba:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
cuba:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
cuba:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cuba:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cuba:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Turns
| Cuba | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
cuba:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Cuba | 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 | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
cuba:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | 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 | More frequent use than in 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
cuba:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cuba:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
cuba:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
cuba:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
cuba:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cuba:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cuba | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cuba:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
cuba:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Cuba | 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
cuba:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
cuba:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
cuba:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
cuba:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | 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 | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense