Driving in Nigeria vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Nigeria and Vanuatu presents distinct contrasts in regulations and practices. While both nations enforce strict speed limits and prioritize pedestrian rights, Nigeria uses bus lanes primarily for BRT services, whereas Vanuatu lacks such lanes altogether. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane where applicable. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nigeria:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nigeria:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare, mostly manual enforcement | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nigeria:
70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nigeria:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nigeria:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nigeria:
Not commonly used
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vanuatu |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
vanuatu:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nigeria:
Not commonly used
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Allowed
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
vanuatu:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
vanuatu:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
vanuatu:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
nigeria:
Not for other messages
vanuatu:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
vanuatu:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless indicated | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Rarely marked | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Special Turn Lanes
nigeria:
Rarely marked
vanuatu:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
nigeria:
Discouraged
vanuatu:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
vanuatu:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
vanuatu:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
vanuatu:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
vanuatu:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional roadblocks | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines vary across states | Fines 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 lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
vanuatu:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
vanuatu:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
vanuatu:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region; check local contact | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| 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
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nigeria:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nigeria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot | Varies; can be significant |
| 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 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually with cash | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies by offense | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
nigeria:
Varies by offense
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay