This is a detailed guide on the driving rules and regulations in Nigeria, read to the end to be enlightened.
Rules and regulations are attached to almost everything in Nigeria to maintain civil behavior.
Without rules many people would become wild thereby causing harm or discomfort to other people; rules and regulations point people in the right direction.
Driving rules and regulations in Nigeria are not new, the problem is that many people are not aware of them, while those who are aware totally act against the rules.
However, if you do not know the driving rules and regulations in Nigeria, it is important to read this article to the end to avoid the consequences of disobeying driving rules and regulations in Nigeria.
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Driving Rules And Regulations In Nigeria
Driving is a delicate activity that requires all your sensory organs, so it is important to follow driving rules and regulations to avoid wreaking havoc on yourself and others.
Many drivers are ignorant of these driving rules because they felt driving is all about controlling the steering.
However, the consequences of disobeying the driving rules and regulations in Nigeria are severe, you might lose your life in the process or get arrested by the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The driving rules and regulations in Nigeria are constantly revised by FRSC in a bid to fully curb road accidents, so it is important you obey them.
However, below are the driving rules and regulations in Nigeria.
1. Avoid The Use Of Mobile Phone While Driving
Negligence of this driving rule in Nigeria has sent a lot of drivers and passengers to their early graves.
Many drivers do not consider this driving rule because they feel they can handle their mobile phones while driving forgetting that mobile phones are very fascinating.
Texting, receiving calls, or fiddling with your phone while driving is very bad and it is frowned at by FRSC.
2. Always Use Your Seat Belt
Many Drivers and even passengers trivialize this driving rule yet it is killing a lot of people daily.
A seat belt helps during accidents, it keeps you safe and secure inside your vehicle because being thrown violently in a vehicle is very deadly.
People who keep these driving rules have testified about being saved from accidents.
Do not only use your seatbelt when you see the FRSC, use it every time because you do not know when you will be involved in an accident.
3. Your Lights and Reflectors Must Be Faultless
Some drivers see nothing wrong in driving with dim lights, some will tell you that they would use the lights from other moving vehicles to drive.
It is dangerous to drive with faulty light and reflector, it will not only land you in trouble with the FRSC but you may also get involved in an accident that might consume your life.
Reflective light is very important, it alerts you of coming cars and other objects and also reveals potholes, rocks, and other dangerous things on the road during your night trip.
4. Always Obey Speed-Limits
It is important to obey the speed limits to avoid causing an accident or getting into trouble with FRSC.
Speed limits help you control your speed because driving at a higher speed increases your risk of losing control of your car while trying to adjust to the changes on the road.
Speed limits are a must for traffic control, safety, and the avoidance of crashes.
5. Obey Traffic Light Signals
It is an offense in Nigeria to disobey traffic light signals, and many drivers have faced the consequences and did not like the experience.
Traffic lights are mounted to regulate the movement of vehicles, and disobeying it can lead to a fatal accident.
Traffic light helps reduces accidents and minimize collisions at intersections.
6. Do Not Wrongfully Overtake Another Vehicle
Disobeying this traffic rule has cost a lot of people their life, and that is why it is an offense to wrongly overtake another vehicle.
It is dangerous to overtake vehicles on bends, and when it is raining especially when your vision is impaired by the rain.
It is also dangerous to wrongfully overtake other vehicles at night, especially trucks.
7. Do Not Drive Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
It is very dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol, many people know this but still falter this traffic rule.
However, if you are caught by FRSC driving under the influence of alcohol, you might be arrested and detained.
When you drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you would wreak havoc on yourself and other road users.
8. Do Not Drive With Worn-Out Tires
It is an offense to drive a vehicle with worn-out tires or without a spare tire. Driving with worn-out tires can lead to losing control of a vehicle which might result in an accident.
Having an extra tire gives you the opportunity to replace a worn-out or punctured tire immediately especially if you are alone in a deserted area.
9. Do Not Drive Without Fire Extinguisher
It is dangerous to drive a car without a fire extinguisher, a fire extinguisher is for your safety, purchase one for your car.
A car that suddenly catches fire can become ashes in a twinkling of an eye, but with a fire extinguisher, you can easily stop the fire and protect your car, the surrounding and other people, and their property.
10. Don’t Drive Without a Driver’s License/Learner’s Permit
It is an offense to drive a vehicle without a valid driver’s license/learner’s permit.
It is mandatory for all car owners to always have their valid driver’s license/learner’s permit to avoid getting into problems with the FRSC.
However, not having a valid driver’s license/learner’s permit is an offense.
Other driving rules and regulations in Nigeria include
1. Register your vehicles with the appropriate authorities e.g licensing office.
2. Obey traffic officials like federal road safety officials, traffic wardens, etc.
3. Avoid overspeeding, and driving within the speed limit for different types of roads.
4. Avoid alcohol while driving, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. Any person driving under the influence of alcohol, or drugs may be imprisoned for two years.
5. You must possess a valid driver’s license which is issued by the FRSC.
6. Stop for pedestrians to cross when you see a zebra crossing sign (a solid yellow or white line painted on a road).
7. Obey traffic signs and lights.
8. You must not park your vehicle wrongly in a public place especially if it causes danger, obstruction, or inconvenience to other road users.
9. You must be mentally or physically fit when driving.
10. Drivers should not be overtaken in a bend.
11. Persons under 18years are not allowed to drive.
12. Driving the right-hand vehicle in Nigeria is prohibited.
13. Do not drive a car with the door left open
14. Do not drive a vehicle with a defective number plate.
15. Do not drive or park on the walkway and curbs.
16. Make good use of your bumper stickers to help other road users see your car at night.
17. Do not Overload a vehicle with passengers and goods.
Penalties For Disobeying Driving and Road Rules
There are penalties for every driving and road offense you commit, so you have to be careful when driving or using the road.
Below are the monetary penalties for road and driving offenses in Nigeria given out by FRSC, read to the end to gain more insight.
1. Light/Sign Violation is 2,000 naira.
2. Road Obstruction is 3,000 naira.
3. Route Violation is 5,000 naira.
4. Speed Limit Violation is 3,000 naira.
5. Vehicle Licence Violation is 3,000 naira.
6. Vehicle Number Plate Violation is 3,000 naira.
7. Driver’s Licence Violation is 10,000 naira.
8. Wrongful overtaking is 3,000 naira.
9. The road marking violation is 5,000 naira.
10. Caution sign violation is 3,000 naira.
11. Dangerous driving is 50,000 naira.
12. Driving under alcohol or drugs influence is 5,000 naira.
13. Operating a vehicle with forged documents is 20,000 naira.
14. Unauthorised removal of or tampering with road signs is 5,000.
15. Do not move violation is 2,000 naira.
16. Inadequate construction warning is 50,000 naira.
17. The construction area speed limit violation is 3,000 naira.
18. Failure to move over is 3,000 naira.
19. Failure to cover unstable material is 5,000 naira.
20. Overloading is 10,000 naira
21. Driving with a worn-out tire or w=ithout a spare tire is 3,000 naira.
22. Driving without or with a shattered windscreen is 2,000 naira.
23. Failure to fix red flag on projected load 3,000 naira.
24. failure to report an accident is 20,000 naira.
25. Medical personnel or hospital rejection of road accident victims is 50,000 naira.
26. Assaulting Marshal on duty is 10,000 naira.
27. Obstructing Marshal on duty is 2,000 naira.
28. Attempting to corrupt marshal is 10,000 naira.
29. Driving without a specified fire extinguisher is 3,000 naira.
30. Driving a commercial vehicle without a passenger manifest is 10,000 naira.
31. Driving without a seatbelt is 2,000 naira.
32. The use of Phones while driving is 4,000 naira.
33. Driving a vehicle while under 18 years is 2,000 naira.
34. Riding a Motorcycle without a crash helmet is 2,000 naira.
35. Excessive Smoke Emission 5,000 naira.
36. Mechanically Deficient Vehicle is 5,000 naira.
37. Failure to Install Speed Limiting Device is 3,000 naira.
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That’s all on the driving rules and regulations in Nigeria, I hope it helps you stay out of trouble.
