Driving Differences: Myanmar vs. Nigeria Uncovered
When exploring the roads of Myanmar and Nigeria, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their travel experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and signaling methods, all crucial for ensuring safety on international streets. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Myanmar | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the 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, overtaking is on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
myanmar:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Myanmar | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
myanmar:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
50 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
80 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
70 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
myanmar:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
myanmar:
Yes
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Myanmar | 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 Myanmar | 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 | Burmese; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
myanmar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
myanmar:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
myanmar:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
myanmar:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
myanmar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
myanmar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Myanmar | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
myanmar:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Myanmar | 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
myanmar:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Myanmar | 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, more common in cities | 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 | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
myanmar:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
myanmar:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
myanmar:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
myanmar:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
myanmar:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Myanmar | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; often during festivals | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can lead to arrest and fines | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
myanmar:
0.07%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
myanmar:
0.03%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
myanmar:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
myanmar:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Myanmar | 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
myanmar:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
myanmar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
myanmar:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Myanmar | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 199 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through some insurance providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
myanmar:
199
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
myanmar:
Contact local police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Myanmar | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots | 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 | Fine enforced; mandatory use | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for usage while driving | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied for violations | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; else must be paid at office | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense