Driving Differences: Nigeria vs. United Arab Emirates
Understanding the contrasts in road regulations and practices between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates is essential for safe navigation abroad. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance. While Nigeria enforces a relaxed approach to some driving norms, the UAE maintains strict adherence to regulations, emphasizing safety and discipline on the roads.
Lanes
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Marks the left edge on some 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 multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane where applicable. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
nigeria:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 UAE |
| 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; especially in residential areas |
| 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 | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
united arab emirates:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
united arab emirates:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
united arab emirates:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
united arab emirates:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
united arab emirates:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
united arab emirates:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| 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%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
nigeria:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
united arab emirates:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
united arab emirates:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
united arab emirates:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nigeria:
112 or 199
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; fines and potential jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay