Driving in Fiji vs. Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and travel practices between Fiji and Nigeria. From driving on opposite sides of the road to distinct speed limits and unique traffic signals, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation. Stay informed to navigate these unique driving landscapes safely!
Lanes
| Fiji | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | 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
fiji:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | 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; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
nigeria:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
nigeria:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
fiji:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Fiji | 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 Fiji | 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; fines can 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
fiji:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
fiji:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
fiji:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
fiji:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
fiji:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
fiji:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Fiji | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
fiji:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Fiji | 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 inspections are mandatory | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
fiji:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | 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 | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | 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
fiji:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
fiji:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
fiji:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
fiji:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
fiji:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | 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
fiji:
0.08%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
nigeria:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
fiji:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Fiji | 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
fiji:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
fiji:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 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
fiji:
911
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | 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 | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
nigeria:
Varies by offense