Driving Differences: Nigeria vs. Sweden Explained
When exploring the roadways of Nigeria and Sweden, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and signal protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country, highlighting the importance of adapting to local driving customs.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only where permitted and safe. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn 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, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
nigeria:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
sweden:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-120 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: 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
sweden:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| 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 | Use is generally discouraged. |
| 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: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in certain areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols can vary | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
nigeria:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
nigeria:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
sweden:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
nigeria:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
nigeria:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
nigeria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
nigeria:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
nigeria:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
nigeria:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| 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 | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| 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 | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
nigeria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
nigeria:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for repeated or severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Likely to result in arrest or fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
nigeria:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
nigeria:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
nigeria:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| 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 left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
nigeria:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
nigeria:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, 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 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
nigeria:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
nigeria:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.