Driving in Nigeria vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
The driving landscape in Nigeria and North Macedonia presents notable contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and road etiquette, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safe navigation. Stay informed to enhance your driving experience while abroad!
Lanes
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only where permitted and safe. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane where applicable. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare, mostly manual enforcement | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
north macedonia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Often used to signal presence or warning | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged at night in residential areas | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rare but can apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not for other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in certain areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols can vary | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
north macedonia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
north macedonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
north macedonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
north macedonia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
north macedonia:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and can lead to fines | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, similar to some other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
north macedonia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
north macedonia:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
north macedonia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
north macedonia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
north macedonia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for repeated or severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Likely to result in arrest or fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
north macedonia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal appropriately when entering if turning | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Inside
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
north macedonia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
north macedonia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay