Driving in Malaysia vs. Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Malaysia and Nigeria, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Malaysia versus the right in Nigeria, varying speed limits, and unique road markings. Arm yourself with this knowledge to navigate both countries confidently.
Lanes
Malaysia | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Left | Right |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | 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 | Only where permitted and safe. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
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 'BAS' or 'BUS'; 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
malaysia:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
nigeria:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
Malaysia | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 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 | 90-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
malaysia:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
Malaysia | 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 Malaysia | 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 | Malay 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
malaysia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
malaysia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
malaysia:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
malaysia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
malaysia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malaysia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
Malaysia | 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
malaysia:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
malaysia:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
Malaysia | 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 | Required yearly for roadworthiness | 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: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
malaysia:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Malaysia | 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
malaysia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malaysia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
malaysia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
malaysia:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
malaysia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Malaysia | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Occasional roadblocks |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | 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
malaysia:
0.08%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
nigeria:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
malaysia:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
Malaysia | 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: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
malaysia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
malaysia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
malaysia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
Malaysia | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 199 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies by region; check local contact |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Malaysia | Nigeria | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | 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 | RM300, points on license | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Common; usually with cash |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense