FRSC Driving CBT cheat sheet

Nigeria uses three sign classes by shape and colour: regulatory (red circle or red-bordered triangle), warning (yellow triangle with black border, or yellow diamond), and informatory (blue or green rectangles).

Red circles with a white bar forbid entry; red circles with a single diagonal bar mean no parking; two crossing diagonals mean no stopping.

Warning triangles are equilateral with the point up in Nigeria; a red-bordered inverted triangle is reserved for YIELD.

An octagon is always STOP; a red-bordered inverted triangle is always GIVE WAY/YIELD; a red-bordered circle is always prohibitory.

Zebra crossings are marked by broad white stripes parallel to the road axis; a pedestrian in the stripes has priority.

Yellow box junctions mean do not enter unless your exit is clear; a vehicle may wait in the box only when turning right and blocked by oncoming traffic.

Broken white centre lines permit overtaking when safe; a continuous double line on your side forbids crossing; a single continuous line forbids crossing from the side nearest it.

Traffic light sequence in Nigeria: red, red-and-amber, green, amber, red; amber alone means stop unless stopping is unsafe.

Nigeria drives on the right; overtaking is therefore on the left, and a slower vehicle keeps to the right-hand lane.

Default speed limits under the National Road Traffic Regulations: 100 km/h on expressways, 80 km/h on highways, 50 km/h in built-up areas, 45 km/h on rural roads unless signed otherwise.

A driver must not exceed the posted limit and must reduce speed near schools, markets, hospitals, junctions and sharp bends regardless of the posted limit.

Right of way at an unmarked junction: the vehicle already in the junction or on the major road proceeds first; a driver turning across oncoming traffic must yield.

At a roundabout marked with give-way lines, traffic already circulating has priority; entering vehicles yield.

A vehicle must not be parked within 6 metres of a junction corner, on a pedestrian crossing, on a bus stop, or where it obstructs a fire hydrant or traffic sign.

Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; children under 12 or under 1.5 m must use an appropriate child restraint in the rear.

Emergency vehicles with siren and flashing lights have priority; other drivers must pull to the right and stop if necessary to clear the path.

Two-second rule: at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead in dry daylight; double to 4 seconds in rain, at night, or behind heavy vehicles; 10 seconds in dense fog or on gravel.

Stopping distance = thinking distance (speed x reaction time) + braking distance; braking distance rises with the square of speed, so doubling speed quadruples braking distance.

The Smith System: Aim high in steering, Get the big picture, Keep your eyes moving, Leave yourself an out, Make sure they see you.

Mirror-signal-manoeuvre sequence: check mirrors, signal intention, check blind spot, then move; blind spots are not covered by mirrors.

A safe following gap is one you can stop in if the vehicle ahead stops instantly; maintain a 3-second gap when the vehicle ahead obscures your view.

Defensive driving assumes other road users will err; anticipate the worst action of a pedestrian, okada rider or overloaded truck and prepare an escape route.

Overtaking checklist: clear view ahead, no solid line, no junction or bend, sufficient gap, signal, check mirrors and blind spot, accelerate decisively, return only when the overtaken vehicle is visible in the interior mirror.

Clutch pedal order left to right on a manual car: clutch, brake, accelerator; the clutch disconnects engine from gearbox and is pressed before a gear change.

Brake before clutch when stopping normally; press the clutch only as revs fall near idle to prevent stalling.

Gear selection: 1st for moving off and steep climbs, 2nd for slow traffic, 3rd and 4th for general driving, 5th or overdrive for steady high-speed cruising to save fuel.

Handbrake (parking brake) holds the vehicle when parked; release it fully before moving or the rear brakes will overheat and drag.

Steering: hold the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock or 10 and 2; use push-pull (hand-over-hand) for large turns; never let the wheel spin back uncontrolled.

Instrument panel warning lights: red oil-can means stop immediately (low oil pressure); red battery means charging fault; red thermometer means overheating; amber engine symbol means check engine.

ABS prevents wheel lock under hard braking; keep firm pressure on the pedal and do not pump it; ABS does not shorten stopping distance on loose gravel.

Daily pre-trip check: tyres (pressure, tread, cuts), lights, brakes, steering, horn, wipers, mirrors, fluid levels, fuel, and documents (licence, insurance, vehicle papers).

Legal minimum tyre tread depth in Nigeria is 1.6 mm; check with a tread depth gauge or the tread wear indicator bars across the grooves.

Tyre pressure is checked cold; under-inflation causes overheating, poor fuel economy and blowouts; over-inflation reduces grip and wears the centre of the tread.

Engine oil is checked with the dipstick on level ground with the engine off; level should sit between the MIN and MAX marks.

Coolant is checked only when the engine is cold; never open a hot radiator cap because pressurised steam causes severe burns.

Brake fluid level drops as pads wear; a spongy pedal or low reservoir indicates air in the system or a leak and the vehicle must not be driven.

Documents to carry: valid driver's licence, vehicle licence, proof of insurance, roadworthiness certificate and vehicle registration; FRSC checks these at roadside.

Leading crash causes in Nigeria: excessive speed, dangerous overtaking, tyre blowouts, brake failure, fatigue, drunk driving, phone use, and poorly maintained vehicles.

At a crash scene the priority order is: protect the scene, alert emergency services, then give first aid within your competence; do not move an injured person unless there is fire or traffic danger.

Nigeria emergency numbers: FRSC 122, Police 112, NEMA 0803 123 0891/2; report location, number of casualties and vehicles involved.

Do not remove a crash victim's helmet if they are a motorcyclist unless breathing is obstructed; spinal injury risk is high.

Control severe bleeding with direct pressure using a clean cloth; elevate the limb if no fracture is suspected.

A vehicle fire: switch off the engine, get everyone out and upwind, and do not open the bonnet fully because the sudden air feed flares the fire.

Prevention: keep a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, torch and reflective vest in the vehicle; place the triangle at least 50 metres behind the vehicle on a highway.

Alcohol slows reaction time, impairs judgement of speed and distance, narrows peripheral vision and increases confidence while reducing skill.

FRSC enforces a legal blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.05 g/100 ml (0.05%) for private drivers; commercial drivers face a lower limit of 0.0 g/100 ml in practice.

Alcohol is eliminated at roughly one standard drink per hour; coffee, cold showers and food do not speed elimination, only time does.

Fatigue signs: yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting across lanes, missing signs, micro-sleeps; the only remedy is to stop and sleep, not to open the window or turn up music.

Long-distance drivers should take a 15-minute break every 2 hours; the FRSC recommends rest stops on major corridors.

Distracted driving: a phone conversation or text removes eyes and attention from the road; handheld phone use is prohibited while driving.

Medicines such as antihistamines, sedatives and some cough syrups cause drowsiness; read the label and do not drive if warned.

Rain: reduce speed, increase following distance to at least 4 seconds, switch on headlights, and avoid sudden braking or steering.

Aquaplaning occurs when tyres ride on a film of water; ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, hold the wheel steady until grip returns.

Fog: use dipped headlights and fog lamps, never main beam, because the beam reflects off the fog and blinds you; slow down and use the edge line as a guide.

Night driving: dipped beam for oncoming traffic, main beam only when the road is clear; look toward the left edge of the road when dazzled by oncoming lights.

Do not look directly at oncoming headlights; use the nearside (left) verge as a guide to stay in lane.

Harmattan dust and smoke reduce visibility; slow down, use headlights, and keep the windscreen and washer reservoir full.

Wet roads double stopping distance; tyres with worn tread lose grip sooner and are more prone to aquaplaning.

The Federal Road Safety Corps was established by Decree 45 of 1988, now the FRSC Act 2007, and is charged with road safety administration, traffic enforcement on federal highways and driver licensing.

FRSC functions include preventing and clearing road obstructions, educating road users, enforcing traffic laws, issuing driver's licences and maintaining the national driver's database.

Driver's licence categories in Nigeria: A motorcycle, B private car (manual), C commercial car/taxi, D light goods vehicle, E heavy goods, F articulated, G bus, H articulated bus.

Licence acquisition: obtain a learner's permit, take a driving school course, pass the computer-based theory test, pass the practical test, then collect the licence from the licensing office.

A learner's permit is valid for 3 months and must be renewed; a learner must display L plates and be accompanied by a licensed driver.

The National Driver's Licence is valid for 3 years for private drivers and 2 years for commercial drivers; renewal is done at the licensing office.

FRSC officers may stop vehicles, inspect documents, arrest traffic offenders, and impound vehicles; drivers must obey lawful signals from an officer in uniform.

Penalties for traffic offences include fines, licence endorsement with penalty points, licence suspension and vehicle impoundment under the National Road Traffic Regulations.

Signs are read in priority order: traffic lights override signs; signs override road markings; markings override the general rules of the road.

A yellow diamond with a black symbol is a warning sign; a blue circle with a white arrow is a mandatory instruction (e.g. keep left).

A red-bordered circle with a black number or symbol is a prohibition (e.g. no goods vehicles, no overtaking).

Direction signs on expressways are green with white lettering; local direction signs are blue with white lettering.

Road studs and reflective markers: white for lane markings, yellow for the centre line, red for the left edge of the carriageway.

A driver involved in a crash must stop, give assistance, exchange details and report to the nearest police station or FRSC office within 24 hours if there are injuries or death.

A driver must not overtake at a pedestrian crossing, at a junction, on a bend, on a hillcrest, at a railway crossing or where a solid line is present.

Traffic signs and signals from an officer on point duty override fixed signals; a driver must obey the officer's hand signals.

Vehicle lighting must be used between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am and whenever visibility is poor; headlights, tail lights and number plate light must be functional.

A vehicle must not carry passengers beyond its registered seating capacity; overloading is an offence under the National Road Traffic Regulations.

The 12-second rule for hazard scanning: look 12 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20-30 seconds ahead on highways to plan for hazards.

When a vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, brake firmly and steer to a clear escape path rather than swerving blindly into another lane.

At night, reduce speed so that you can stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights.

When being overtaken, maintain speed and position, keep right, and do not accelerate; allow the overtaking vehicle to complete the manoeuvre.

In a skid, steer in the direction of the skid and avoid hard braking; for a rear-wheel skid, ease off the accelerator and steer where you want to go.

Automatic transmission: P park, R reverse, N neutral, D drive, L or 2 for engine braking on descents; use the foot brake, not the accelerator, to hold on a hill.

Engine braking on a long descent: select a lower gear to use compression instead of riding the brakes, which can fade and fail.

Power steering and power brakes may fail if the engine stalls; steering becomes heavy and the brake pedal hard, so use both feet and pull over.

A seat belt should be worn with the lap belt low across the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest and shoulder, never under the arm.

Head restraints should be adjusted so the top is level with the top of the head to reduce whiplash injury.

Battery check: clean terminals, check electrolyte level in non-sealed batteries, and check that the alternator belt is tight and not cracked.

Wiper blades should be replaced when they streak or chatter; check washer fluid weekly.

Spare tyre, jack and wheel spanner must be present and serviceable before a long journey.

Lights check includes headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, reversing lights, hazard lights, fog lamps and number plate light.

A pre-trip walk-around should include checking under the vehicle for fluid leaks and checking that the load is secure.

The 'golden hour' after a crash is the period in which prompt first aid and evacuation most improve survival; call for help immediately.

Recovery position: for an unconscious but breathing casualty, place them on their side to keep the airway open.

CPR ratio for adults: 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths at 100-120 compressions per minute.

Do not give food or drink to a crash casualty; they may need surgery or have internal injuries.

If a casualty is trapped, do not attempt to remove them unless there is fire; wait for trained rescue services.

A standard drink is roughly 10 g of pure alcohol, equivalent to about 330 ml of beer, 150 ml of wine or 30 ml of spirits.

Alcohol is a depressant; it slows central nervous system activity and impairs coordination, reaction time and judgement.

Fatigue crashes are more common between 2 am and 6 am and in the mid-afternoon; drivers should avoid long trips at these times.

Sleep debt cannot be repaid by caffeine; only sleep restores alertness.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that cause drowsiness carry a warning; driving under their influence is an offence.

When visibility drops below 50 metres in fog, reduce speed and use dipped headlights and fog lamps; do not use hazard lights while moving unless required.

On flooded roads, do not drive into water of unknown depth; if the engine stalls in water, do not restart it.

In strong crosswinds, reduce speed, grip the wheel firmly and allow extra space for high-sided vehicles.

On gravel or loose surfaces, increase following distance and avoid sudden braking or steering.

At night, keep the windscreen clean inside and out to reduce glare from oncoming lights.

FRSC ranks: Marshal, Deputy Corps Marshal, Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Commander, Deputy Corps Commander, Assistant Corps Commander and below.

FRSC operates the National Traffic Radio 96.1 FM and the 'Safe Road, Safe Life' campaign for road safety education.

The FRSC's 'Operation Zero Tolerance' targets speeding, dangerous overtaking, tyre violations and drunk driving.

A driver's licence is issued only after the applicant passes the computer-based theory test and the practical driving test at a Vehicle Inspection Office.

Driving without a valid licence is an offence punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under the FRSC Act.

A red triangle with a black symbol warns of a hazard ahead (e.g. bend, crossroads, steep hill, slippery road).

A blue rectangle with a white 'P' marks parking; a blue rectangle with a white 'H' marks a hospital.

A yellow 'X' with a black border marks a railway crossing without barriers; a gate symbol marks one with barriers.

A sign showing a car with a skid mark warns of a slippery road surface.

A sign showing a pedestrian in a red circle prohibits pedestrians; a pedestrian in a blue circle indicates a pedestrian-only route.

A driver must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing and must not park on or within 6 metres of it.

At a T-junction, the vehicle on the through road has priority; the vehicle joining from the stem must yield.

A U-turn is prohibited where a solid line, a 'no U-turn' sign or a junction within 6 metres is present.

Reversing is prohibited on a highway, at a junction, or for a distance greater than necessary for parking.

A vehicle must not be driven on a pavement, footpath or pedestrian precinct except to cross a pavement to enter premises.

The 'space cushion' principle: keep a buffer of space on all four sides of the vehicle; avoid driving in another vehicle's blind spot.

When a vehicle tailgates, increase the gap ahead so you can brake more gently and reduce the risk of a rear-end collision.

Before changing lanes, check mirrors, signal, check the blind spot over the shoulder, then move smoothly.

At a junction, make eye contact with other drivers and never assume a vehicle will stop just because it should.

In a queue, leave enough gap to see the rear tyres of the vehicle ahead so you can steer out if it stalls.

The clutch should be fully released when driving; resting your foot on the clutch (riding the clutch) causes premature wear.

The brake pedal should be pressed progressively, not stamped; release gently to avoid a jerky stop.

The accelerator is used smoothly; sudden acceleration wastes fuel and reduces control.

The parking brake should be applied before releasing the foot brake on a hill to prevent rollback.

The horn should be used only to warn of danger, not to express annoyance; it is prohibited in some areas such as near hospitals.

Check the tyre tread wear indicators across the grooves; replace tyres when the tread reaches 1.6 mm.

Check the spare tyre pressure monthly; a spare is useless if flat when needed.

Check the brake pedal for sponginess or travel to the floor; both indicate a fault.

Check the handbrake holds the vehicle on a slope; adjust the cable if it does not.

Check that the windscreen washer jets spray correctly and that the wipers clear the screen without streaks.

Human error is a factor in the majority of road traffic crashes; the most common errors are speeding, distraction, fatigue and failure to yield.

Tyre blowouts are a leading cause of high-speed crashes in Nigeria, often due to under-inflation, overloading and worn tread.

Overloading reduces braking efficiency, destabilises the vehicle and increases the severity of a crash.

Poor road maintenance, potholes and missing road markings contribute to crashes; drivers should reduce speed on poor surfaces.

Motorcycle (okada) and tricycle (keke) riders are vulnerable road users; drivers should give them extra space.

A driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05% is about twice as likely to crash as a sober driver; at 0.10% the risk is much higher.

Alcohol impairs the ability to judge speed and distance and increases the tendency to take risks.

Hangover effects (headache, nausea, fatigue) can impair driving even when BAC has fallen to zero.

Using a handheld phone while driving is prohibited; even hands-free use distracts attention from the road.

Texting while driving takes the eyes off the road for several seconds, during which the vehicle travels a significant distance at speed.

In rain, switch on headlights even during the day so other drivers can see you.

Increase the following distance to at least 4 seconds in rain and 10 seconds in fog or on gravel.

Avoid using cruise control on wet or slippery roads because it can increase the risk of aquaplaning.

In fog, use the left edge line as a guide and avoid overtaking.

At night, dip your headlights for oncoming traffic and for vehicles you are following.

FRSC operates a 24-hour emergency response service on major highways through its patrol teams and ambulance services.

The FRSC uses speed limit devices and radar guns to enforce speed limits.

The FRSC may conduct roadside checks for tyre condition, lighting, and driver's licence and vehicle documents.

The FRSC collaborates with the Police, NEMA, and the Federal Ministry of Works on road safety and crash response.

The FRSC's 'Road Safety Club' in schools educates young people about road safety.

A continuous yellow line along the kerb indicates no parking at any time; a broken yellow line indicates no parking during specified hours.

A yellow box junction must not be entered unless the exit is clear.

A hatched area bounded by solid lines must not be entered except in an emergency.

A stop line is a solid white line across the lane at a junction; a give-way line is a broken white line.

Direction arrows painted on the road indicate the lane's permitted direction of travel.

A flashing amber light at a pelican crossing means give way to pedestrians on the crossing.

A green filter arrow means you may proceed in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear.

A red-and-amber light together means prepare to go but do not move until green shows.

A flashing red light means stop and proceed only when safe (e.g. at a railway crossing).

Hand signals from a police officer on point duty override traffic lights and signs.

A learner's permit is obtained from the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) or FRSC licensing office after a medical test.

The computer-based theory test covers road signs, traffic rules and safe driving practices.

The practical driving test assesses vehicle control, observation, signalling and compliance with traffic rules.

A driver's licence must be carried at all times when driving and produced on demand by an FRSC officer or police officer.

A licence may be endorsed with penalty points or suspended for serious traffic offences.

Check the casualty's responsiveness, airway, breathing and circulation (ABC) before giving first aid.

If the casualty is not breathing, start CPR and call for help immediately.

Control bleeding with direct pressure and a clean dressing; do not remove an object embedded in a wound.

Do not move a casualty with a suspected spinal injury unless there is immediate danger.

Keep the casualty warm and reassure them until help arrives.

Engine oil should be changed according to the manufacturer's schedule, typically every 5,000-10,000 km depending on oil type and driving conditions.

Brake pads should be replaced when the friction material is worn to about 3 mm or when the wear indicator sounds.

The air filter should be cleaned or replaced regularly to maintain fuel efficiency and engine performance.

The radiator coolant should be checked when cold and topped up with the correct coolant mixture.

The battery should be checked for corrosion and loose terminals; a weak battery can cause starting problems and dim lights.

At a crash scene, switch on hazard lights and place a warning triangle at least 50 metres behind the vehicle.

Call FRSC on 122 or the Police on 112; give the exact location, number of casualties and vehicles involved.

Do not smoke or use a naked flame near a crashed vehicle because of fuel leaks.

If a vehicle is on fire, move everyone upwind and at least 100 metres away.

Do not attempt to tow a vehicle with a damaged steering or braking system.

Fatigue impairs reaction time, attention and judgement in a way similar to alcohol.

Take a 15-minute break every 2 hours on long journeys.

Avoid driving between 2 am and 6 am when the body's circadian rhythm causes drowsiness.

If you feel drowsy, stop in a safe place and take a short nap of 15-20 minutes.

Do not rely on caffeine or loud music to stay awake; they provide only temporary relief.

Use dipped headlights when following another vehicle or when meeting oncoming traffic.

Use main beam only when the road ahead is clear and there is no oncoming traffic.

Reduce speed at night so you can stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights.

Keep the windscreen clean to reduce glare from oncoming lights.

Look toward the left edge of the road when dazzled by oncoming headlights.

The FRSC is headed by a Corps Marshal appointed by the President.

The FRSC has zonal commands, sector commands and unit commands across the country.

The FRSC's mandate includes road safety education, traffic enforcement, crash response and driver licensing.

The FRSC works with state governments on road safety through the State Road Safety Committees.

The FRSC's National Headquarters is in Abuja.