Driving Differences: Nepal vs Nigeria for Safe Travels
Exploring the road regulations in Nepal and Nigeria unveils significant contrasts in traffic practices. While Nepal adheres to left-side driving, Nigeria opts for the right. Additional variances include speed limits, use of bus lanes, and alcohol consumption thresholds. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure driving experience when navigating these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | 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, with caution. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Keep left. | 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: Usage | N/A | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
nepal:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nepal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
nepal:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nepal:
Keep left.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nepal:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nepal:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
Urban Areas: Standard
nepal:
20-40 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
50-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nepal:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
80 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nepal:
60 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
60 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nepal:
No
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Signals
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| 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 Nepal | 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 | Nepali and English | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
nepal:
Yellow
nigeria:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nepal:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
nepal:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nepal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
nepal:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nepal:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nepal:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nepal:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
nepal:
Nepali and English
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
nepal:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
Special Turn Lanes
nepal:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Mandatory; proof 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
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
nepal:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nepal:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Nepal | 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 | 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
nepal:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nepal:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nepal:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
nepal:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nepal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
nepal:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nepal:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | 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
nepal:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
nepal:
Common; checkpoints used
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
nepal:
Can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nepal:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
nepal:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Nepal | 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 left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
nepal:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
nepal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
nepal:
Signal left when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
nepal:
100
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
nepal:
100
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nepal:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Nepal | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 | 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 | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common practice | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
nepal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
nepal:
Yes, common practice
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense