Driving in New Zealand vs. Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
As you navigate the roads of New Zealand or Nigeria, understanding the distinct rules and practices can greatly enhance your journey. Key contrasts exist, such as New Zealand's left-side driving and comprehensive lane markings, while Nigeria emphasizes right-side navigation and variable speed limits. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances ensures a smoother and safer driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| New zealand | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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 right. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 green pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
new zealand:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| New zealand | 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 New Zealand | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
new zealand:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
nigeria:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
new zealand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
new zealand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| New zealand | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
new zealand:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| New zealand | 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
new zealand:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | 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 marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
new zealand:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
new zealand:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
new zealand:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn 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
new zealand:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | 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 | $150, points may also apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense