Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs. Nigeria Safety Tips
Discover the vital distinctions in road regulations and driving practices between Kazakhstan and Nigeria. From speed limits to lane usage and traffic signals, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safe travel in each country. This comparison highlights the unique aspects of navigating the roads, making your journey abroad more secure and informed.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | 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: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 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 | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
kazakhstan:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Kazakhstan | 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 Kazakhstan | 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 | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
kazakhstan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
kazakhstan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
kazakhstan:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
kazakhstan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
kazakhstan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kazakhstan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
kazakhstan:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
kazakhstan:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | 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 | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
kazakhstan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
kazakhstan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
kazakhstan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
kazakhstan:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
kazakhstan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | 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
kazakhstan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
kazakhstan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense