Traffic Rules and Regulations
This domain covers the everyday rules of the road: which side to drive on, who gives way, how fast you may go and where you may stop. The CBT tests these as short scenarios and 'who has right of way' questions.
Core rules
- Nigeria drives on the right, so you overtake on the left and keep to the right-hand lane except when overtaking, turning or in a queue.
- Commonly enforced maximum speeds for private cars are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on highways and 100 km/h on expressways. Commercial vehicles and vehicles towing trailers have lower limits.
- At an uncontrolled junction, give way to traffic approaching from your right, and never enter until you are sure it is clear.
- At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority; you give way to vehicles approaching from your right before entering.
- Keep a two-second gap behind the vehicle ahead, and at least three to four seconds in rain or at night.
- Give way to emergency vehicles on call, to pedestrians already on a zebra crossing, and to a traffic officer's directions.
Stopping, parking and carrying
Do not stop on a crossing, on a bend, near a junction, on a bridge, or where you block a driveway or hydrant. Do not carry passengers in a load space or exceed the vehicle's rated load. Passengers must wear seat belts where fitted, and children should be properly restrained.
Worked example
A driver arrives at an uncontrolled crossroad at the same moment as a car from his right. Reasoning: the rule is give way to the right, so the other car goes first even if the driver believes he arrived a second earlier. If both arrive and one is already committed into the junction, allow it to clear rather than forcing a confrontation.
Traps
Overtaking on the right because the left lane is slow. Treating a green light or a bigger vehicle as right of way. Forgetting that speed limits drop sharply at built-up area boundaries and school zones.