Driving in Kenya vs Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Kenya and Nigeria presents unique regulations and practices that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include driving sides—left in Kenya and right in Nigeria—and differing speed limits. Also, while both countries emphasize pedestrian right-of-way, enforcement varies. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances can significantly enhance your experience and safety on the road.
Lanes
| Kenya | 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, allow passing on the right. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | 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 | Yes, in some areas | 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
kenya:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
kenya:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Kenya | 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 Kenya | 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 | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
kenya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
kenya:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
kenya:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
kenya:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
kenya:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kenya:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Kenya | 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
kenya:
Not allowed.
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
kenya:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Kenya | 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 | Annual inspection required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
kenya:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | 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
kenya:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
kenya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
kenya:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
kenya:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
kenya:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less 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
kenya:
0.08%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
nigeria:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kenya:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Kenya | 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 left when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
kenya:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
kenya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
nigeria:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
kenya:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | 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 | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense