Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs Nigeria
Discover the striking contrasts in road regulations and practices between the Dominican Republic and Nigeria. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and alcohol laws, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure experience behind the wheel abroad. Equip yourself with valuable insights for safer travels in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Dominican republic | 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 Dominican Republic | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | 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 Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
dominican republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
dominican republic:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
dominican republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
dominican republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
dominican republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
dominican republic:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Dominican republic | 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 inspection required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
dominican republic:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | 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 | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | 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
dominican republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
dominican republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
dominican republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
dominican republic:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | 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
dominican republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
dominican republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
dominican republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | 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 | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
nigeria:
Varies by offense