Driving in Nigeria vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Nigeria and Norway. While Nigeria employs flexible lane markings and speed limits, Norway adheres to stricter protocols, including exclusive bus lanes and lower alcohol limits. This comparison aims to enhance your awareness of driving norms, ensuring a safer experience when traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only where permitted and safe. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 'BUS ONLY'; often 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare, mostly manual enforcement | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
norway:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| 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 or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not for other messages | Not to be used 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
norway:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
norway:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
norway:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
norway:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
norway:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
norway:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
norway:
Not allowed
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
norway:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
norway:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| 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
norway:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
norway:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
norway:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
norway:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
norway:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | High fines and possible license revocation |
| 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: General Drivers
nigeria:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
norway:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
norway:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
norway:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay