Driving in Nigeria vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When exploring the roadways of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter a host of distinct regulations and practices. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and unique lane markings, understanding these crucial contrasts can significantly enhance travel safety and confidence. Let's delve into the key variations that define driving experiences in both countries.
Lanes
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used as a divider on major roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only where permitted and safe. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| 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, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
nigeria:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
nigeria:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
nigeria:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
nigeria:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
nigeria:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nigeria:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
united kingdom:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
nigeria:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
united kingdom:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
united kingdom:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
united kingdom:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
united kingdom:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
united kingdom:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
nigeria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
nigeria:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
united kingdom:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Insurance | Third party insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
united kingdom:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
united kingdom:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
united kingdom:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
united kingdom:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
united kingdom:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
united kingdom:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Substantial 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%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
united kingdom:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first 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 kingdom:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
nigeria:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
united kingdom:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| 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
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| 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 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay