Driving in Nigeria vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When considering road travel, understanding the nuances between countries is crucial. This comparison between Nigeria and Taiwan reveals significant contrasts in lane markings, speed regulations, and the enforcement of road etiquette. From varying alcohol limits to the presence of cycle lanes, these distinctions play a vital role in ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| 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.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
taiwan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Taiwan |
| 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 | Mandarin; 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
taiwan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
taiwan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
taiwan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
taiwan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
taiwan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
taiwan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
taiwan:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| 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 mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
taiwan:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Frequent use in busy areas |
| 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
taiwan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
taiwan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
taiwan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
taiwan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
taiwan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Heavy fines imposed |
| 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 fine |
Limits: General Drivers
nigeria:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
taiwan:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
taiwan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
taiwan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
taiwan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| 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
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay