Driving in Nigeria vs. Singapore: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Nigeria and Singapore presents distinct challenges and regulations that impact road safety. While Nigeria adheres to right-side driving, Singapore follows left-side conventions. Additionally, the two nations demonstrate contrasting approaches to speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol enforcement, highlighting essential variations that every international traveler should be aware of to ensure a secure journey.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Marks the right 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 allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane where applicable. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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' 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: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
nigeria:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Singapore |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
singapore:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
singapore:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
singapore:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
singapore:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
singapore:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
singapore:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
singapore:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
singapore:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| 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 and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
nigeria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
singapore:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
singapore:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
singapore:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
singapore:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| 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%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
singapore:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
singapore:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
singapore:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| 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 | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay