Driving in India vs Nigeria: Key Differences for Safety
When venturing onto the roads of India and Nigeria, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their experience. Key differences include driving sides—left in India and right in Nigeria—as well as unique speed limits and signaling methods. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in each country.
Lanes
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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 |
Driving Side
india:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 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 | 60-70 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| India | 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 India | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive 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 | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | More common in certain areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
india:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
india:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
india:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
india:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
india:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Turns
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
nigeria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
india:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Insurance
india:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | 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 | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
india:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
india:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
india:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines 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 and fines | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
india:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left 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
india:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
india:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | 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
india:
112
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense