Nigeria Driving 2026: NGN 5,000 Speeding Fine and 5 Points

Nigeria’s road-safety agency, the FRSC, fines a speed limit violation at NGN 5,000 with 5 penalty points, and phone use at the wheel at NGN 4,000 with 4. Speed limits run 50, 80 and 100 km/h by road type, the alcohol limit is 0.05%, and a foreign licence covers a visit of up to three months.

Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC. You must be at least 18 to drive.

Emergency Numbers in Nigeria

General Emergency: 112 | Police: 199 | Ambulance: 199 | Fire: 199

Save these numbers before you start driving. In Nigeria, emergency calls are free from any phone.

Speed Limits in Nigeria

The default speed limits for passenger cars in Nigeria are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways.

Lorries and other vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits in Nigeria, but we could not confirm the figures in an official source, so follow the signs posted for heavy vehicles.

Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.

Speeding Fines and Penalties

The Federal Road Safety Corps sets one fixed fine for a speed limit violation: NGN 5,000 and 5 penalty points, not a scale by how far over you were. Dangerous driving is a separate offence at NGN 50,000 and 10 points.

Other fines on the FRSC schedule:

• Phone use while driving: NGN 4,000 and 4 points
• Seat belt violation: NGN 2,000 and 5 points
• Driving under alcohol or drug influence: NGN 5,000 and 5 points
• Light/sign violation: NGN 2,000 and 2 points
• Fire extinguisher violation: NGN 3,000; no spare tyre: NGN 2,000

Fines are paid into the Federal Government revenue account at a commercial bank or online through Remita.

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.

Using a phone while driving is an offence; the FRSC fine is NGN 4,000 with 4 points.

Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.

Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.

Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits

The legal blood alcohol limit in Nigeria is 0.05% BAC. On the FRSC schedule, driving under alcohol or drug influence costs NGN 5,000 and 5 points.

The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.

Tyre Requirements and Regulations

Due to Nigeria’s tropical climate, winter tyres are not required. Standard tyres suitable for wet and dry conditions are appropriate year-round.

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.

Studded tyres are prohibited in Nigeria.

For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Nigeria guide.

Mandatory Vehicle Equipment

Vehicles in Nigeria must carry the following:

Required:

• Warning triangle
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher

Keep all equipment accessible — not buried under luggage. Police may check during routine stops.

Driving License Requirements

GOV.UK says a UK licence can be used for up to 3 months; for longer stays you need a 1968 International Driving Permit, and after a year a Nigerian licence. An IDP is recommended for other short visits. Always carry your original driving licence.

The minimum driving age is 18 years.

Parking and Fuel

Parking rules vary by city. Look for designated parking areas and always check signs for time limits and payment requirements.

We do not hold a verified, dated fuel price for Nigeria, so check a local price app or the board at the station before you budget.

Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.

Seasonal Driving Conditions

Nigeria has a tropical climate with a rainy season. The main driving hazard is heavy rainfall — roads can flood quickly and visibility drops sharply during downpours. Reduce speed in rain and avoid crossing flooded sections. Road surfaces may deteriorate during the wet season.

Practical Driving Tips for Nigeria

• Download offline maps of Nigeria before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
• Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
• Limit driving after dark outside city centres and avoid quiet, poorly lit roads, as GOV.UK advises.

Sources

• Federal Road Safety Corps, offences and penalties (speed limit violation NGN 5,000 / 5 points, seat belt NGN 2,000 / 5, phone NGN 4,000 / 4, alcohol or drugs NGN 5,000 / 5, light/sign violation NGN 2,000, caution sign NGN 3,000, fire extinguisher NGN 3,000, spare tyre NGN 2,000, dangerous driving NGN 50,000; payment via bank or Remita): frsc.gov.ng
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Nigeria safety and security (UK licence up to 3 months, 1968 IDP for longer stays, Nigerian licence after a year; night travel, checkpoints): gov.uk