Driving in Indonesia vs. Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
Welcome to our detailed driving comparison between Indonesia and Nigeria. Discover key distinctions in road regulations, speed limits, and lane usage that significantly impact traveler safety. From varying traffic light practices to unique overtaking rules, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Indonesia | 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 | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, 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
indonesia:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
indonesia:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Indonesia | 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 Indonesia | 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 | Indonesian; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
indonesia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
indonesia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
indonesia:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
indonesia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
indonesia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
indonesia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Indonesia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
indonesia:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Indonesia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
indonesia:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | 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 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 | Give way and make room | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
indonesia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
indonesia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
indonesia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
indonesia:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
indonesia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; 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: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
nigeria:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
indonesia:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | 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
indonesia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
indonesia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
indonesia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency 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 | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | 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 | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
nigeria:
Varies by offense