Driving Differences: Nigeria vs South Africa Explained
When navigating the roads of Nigeria and South Africa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. From varying speed limits and lane usage to contrasting signaling protocols, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Discover the essential driving distinctions to enhance your safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only where permitted and safe. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| 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; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Driving Side
nigeria:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
nigeria:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 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, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
south africa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
south africa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
south africa:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
south africa:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
south africa:
Not applicable
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
south africa:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
south africa:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| 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 and additional fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
south africa:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left 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
south africa:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
south africa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| 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 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay