Driving in Japan vs. Nigeria: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Japan and Nigeria, drivers encounter significant variations in regulations and practices. From distinct lane usage—where Japan favors left-side driving while Nigeria adheres to the right—to contrasting speed limits, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Get ready to navigate these unique driving landscapes confidently!
Lanes
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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, overtaking is done on the right. | 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 during specific hours. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Japan | 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 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
japan:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Japan | 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 Japan | 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 | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
japan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
japan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
japan:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
japan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
japan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
japan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
Special Turn Lanes
japan:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
japan:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| 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 | Generally used sparingly | 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: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
nigeria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
japan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
japan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
japan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
japan:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
japan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | 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 | Can result in license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
japan:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
japan:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Japan | 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
japan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
japan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
japan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
nigeria:
Varies by offense