Driving Differences: Nigeria vs Paraguay Explained
Navigating the roads of Nigeria and Paraguay presents unique challenges and distinctive rules. From speed limits and lane usage to signaling and penalties, each country showcases its own driving culture. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Explore their driving nuances to enhance your road safety while traveling.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane where applicable. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| 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.
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare, mostly manual enforcement | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
paraguay:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Paraguay |
| 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 | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
paraguay:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
paraguay:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
paraguay:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
paraguay:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
paraguay:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
paraguay:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
paraguay:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
paraguay:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
paraguay:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
paraguay:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
paraguay:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
paraguay:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; police checkpoints |
| 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 license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
paraguay:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
paraguay:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
paraguay:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
paraguay:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
paraguay:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
paraguay:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| 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 | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days