Driving in Nigeria vs. Romania: Key Safety Differences
Explore the contrasting road regulations and driving practices between Nigeria and Romania. This comparison highlights crucial distinctions in lane markings, speed limits, and road etiquette, ensuring travelers grasp the essentials for safe navigation. Discover how each country's unique approach affects overall driving safety and experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 | 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 and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare, mostly manual enforcement | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
romania:
Yes
Signals
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Romania |
| 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; restrictions apply in some 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 | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols can vary | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
romania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
romania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
romania:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
romania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
romania:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
romania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
romania:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
romania:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
romania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
romania:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
romania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
romania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Considerable fines for offenses |
| 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%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
romania:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
romania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
romania:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
romania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
nigeria:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist