Driving in Ireland vs Nigeria: Key Safety Tips
As you prepare for your journey, understanding the nuances of road regulations in Ireland and Nigeria is essential for safe travel. Key distinctions include driving sides, with Ireland favoring the left and Nigeria the right, as well as varied speed limits and road etiquette practices. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ireland | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | 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 taxis. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | 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
ireland:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ireland:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Ireland | 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 | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | 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 | Triangles with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
nigeria:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
ireland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
ireland:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
ireland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
ireland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ireland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Ireland | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
ireland:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
ireland:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | 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 | Less frequent use compared to 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 left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ireland:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ireland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ireland:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
ireland:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
ireland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | 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 |
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ireland:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Ireland | 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
ireland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
ireland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
ireland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense