Driving Differences: Nigeria vs Tanzania Safety Insights
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Nigeria and Tanzania. From driving sides to speed limits, these two nations exhibit distinct norms that significantly impact road safety. Unravel the key variations, such as lane usage and alcohol limits, to ensure a secure driving experience while navigating abroad.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only where permitted and safe. | Yes |
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; 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 dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Driving Side
nigeria:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
nigeria:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
tanzania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tanzania |
| 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 and Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
tanzania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
tanzania:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
tanzania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
tanzania:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
tanzania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
tanzania:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
tanzania:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moderate usage 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
tanzania:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
tanzania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
tanzania:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
tanzania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
tanzania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Significant fines apply |
| 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: General Drivers
nigeria:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
tanzania:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
tanzania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay