Driving in Nigeria vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
When comparing road regulations in Nigeria and Spain, significant distinctions emerge that impact travel safety. From speed limits and lane usage to the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes, understanding these variances is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad. Explore the unique driving cultures of these two nations to ensure your journey is both enjoyable and safe.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Spain |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
spain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
spain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
spain:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
spain:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
spain:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
spain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
spain:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| 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 windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
spain:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
spain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
spain:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
spain:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
spain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for repeated or severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Likely to result in arrest or fines | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
spain:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
spain:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
spain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay