Driving in Nigeria vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Nigeria and Turkey, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. From lane markings to speed limits and road etiquette, these key disparities highlight the importance of understanding local driving customs to enhance safety and ensure a smoother journey abroad.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
turkey:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Turkey |
| 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 prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| 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 | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
turkey:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
turkey:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
turkey:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
turkey:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
turkey:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
turkey:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
turkey:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
turkey:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | More 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 right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
turkey:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
turkey:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
turkey:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
turkey:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
turkey:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Varies by severity; 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 and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
turkey:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
turkey:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
turkey:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges