Driving in Nigeria vs Tonga: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads, Nigeria and Tonga present unique contrasts in their regulations and driving culture. Notably, Nigeria drives on the right while Tonga adheres to the left. Speed limits and enforcement practices also differ significantly, highlighting the importance of understanding local rules for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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 leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Driving Side
nigeria:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare, mostly manual enforcement | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| 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 Tongan; 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
tonga:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
nigeria:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
tonga:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
tonga:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
tonga:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
tonga:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
tonga:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
tonga:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
tonga:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
tonga:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
tonga:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
tonga:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Varies; can be substantial |
| 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%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
tonga:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
tonga:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | Contact local police |
| 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
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
tonga:
Contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| 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 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred