Driving in Nigeria vs. Pakistan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Nigeria and Pakistan, distinct variations in regulations and practices emerge that greatly influence driving safety. From differing lane usages and speed limits to unique traffic signals and penalties, understanding these contrasts is essential for any traveler. Ensure a secure journey by grasping these vital driving nuances before you hit the road.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| 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 Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only where permitted and safe. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane where applicable. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Driving Side
nigeria:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
nigeria:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 in residential areas |
| 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 | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols can vary | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
pakistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
pakistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
pakistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
pakistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
pakistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
pakistan:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
pakistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, similar to some other countries | 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 left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
pakistan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
pakistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
pakistan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
pakistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Varies; 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 fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
nigeria:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
pakistan:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
pakistan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
pakistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay