UK Licence in Nigeria 2026: Three Months, Then an IDP
United Kingdom
Nigeria
A UK licence covers up to 3 months; after that you need an IDP, and beyond a year a Nigerian licence. Nigeria drives on the right, and GOV.UK advises limiting travel after dark.
For a British driver, Nigeria is simple on paper and demanding on the road. The licence rules take one sentence. The traffic in Lagos, the checkpoints and the roads after dark take more planning.
The licence rule
GOV.UK says you can drive in Nigeria with a UK driving licence for up to 3 months. Staying longer, you need an international driving permit, and after a year a Nigerian driver’s licence. The minimum driving age is 18. If your trip could run past three months, buy the IDP in the UK before you fly, because it cannot be issued in Nigeria. The Driving Permit Checker compares other countries.
Driving on the right
The UK keeps left; Nigeria keeps right. Roundabouts run anticlockwise, you overtake on the left and the gear lever sits under your right hand. The risk window is the first day: pulling out of a junction, or a reflex glance the wrong way. Start somewhere quiet rather than in city traffic.
Limits and FRSC fines
WHO lists Nigeria’s limits as 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on motorways, and the general blood-alcohol limit as 0.05, stricter than the 0.08 used in England and Wales. Hand-held and hands-free phone use are both banned. On the Federal Road Safety Corps notice-of-offence sheet, a speed limit violation is NGN 5,000 and 5 penalty points, driving under the influence NGN 5,000, and phone use while driving NGN 4,000. The same sheet fines a car without a working fire extinguisher (NGN 3,000) or without a spare tyre (NGN 2,000), so check both before leaving the rental yard. Fines are paid into a federal government account through a bank or the Remita platform. The Speeding Fine Calculator covers other countries.
Road safety beyond the rulebook
GOV.UK warns that road travel across Nigeria can be dangerous, citing low driving standards, poor road conditions and badly maintained vehicles. It advises limiting travel after dark outside city centres, and notes that both authorised and unauthorised checkpoints operate: slow down and stay calm at any of them. Congestion, especially in Lagos, means allowing extra travel time. The Nigeria driving guide has more.
Sources
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Nigeria, safety and security (UK licence up to 3 months, IDP for longer, Nigerian licence after a year; road conditions, night travel, checkpoints): gov.uk
- Federal Road Safety Corps, offences and penalties (notice of offence sheet under the FRSC (Establishment) Act 2007 and NRTR 2012): frsc.gov.ng
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Nigeria profile (50/80/100 km/h; 0.05 g/dl; phone ban): who.int
- GOV.UK, the drink-drive limit (80 mg in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 50 mg in Scotland): gov.uk
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. GOV.UK says you can drive in Nigeria with a UK licence for up to 3 months. For a longer stay you need an international driving permit, and after a year a Nigerian driving licence.
On the right, the opposite of the UK. Roundabouts run anticlockwise and you overtake on the left. Take it slowly until the switch settles, ideally away from Lagos traffic.
WHO lists Nigeria's general limit as 0.05 g/dl of blood alcohol, stricter than the 80 mg per 100 ml (0.08) used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and equal to Scotland's 50 mg. Plan on no alcohol before driving.