Driving in Jordan vs. Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
When comparing road regulations in Jordan and Nigeria, significant distinctions emerge that impact driving experiences. From lane markings to speed limits, Jordan emphasizes structured practices while Nigeria incorporates flexible approaches. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating the diverse roadways of these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Jordan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the roadway. | 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 Right | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No specific bus lanes | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. | 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: Presence | Limited; primarily in urban areas. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicular traffic. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Cycle symbols where applicable. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jordan:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jordan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Jordan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Yes; common. | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
jordan:
50-60 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jordan:
40 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jordan:
70-90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
70-90 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
100-120 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jordan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
jordan:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jordan:
Yes; common.
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Jordan | 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 typically used | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | To avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse | 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 | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jordan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jordan:
Not typically used
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
jordan:
To avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
jordan:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jordan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jordan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jordan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Jordan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
jordan:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Jordan | 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 | Annual inspections required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
jordan:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jordan:
Annual inspections required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jordan | 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 | Moderate use is common | 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 and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jordan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jordan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jordan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
jordan:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jordan:
Moderate use is common
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
jordan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Jordan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at checkpoints | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: 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 | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
jordan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jordan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
jordan:
Can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jordan:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
jordan:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Jordan | 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
jordan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
jordan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
jordan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
jordan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Jordan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 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 | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jordan:
911
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
jordan:
911
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jordan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | 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 | Fines apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, occasionally | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jordan:
Fines apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
jordan:
Fines apply
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jordan:
Fines apply
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense