FRSC Driver's Licence Test Study Guide: Nigeria Road Signs and Meaning, the Nigerian Highway Code and the CBT
The FRSC driver's licence test is the theory assessment you sit before a Nigerian driver's licence is issued through the Federal Road Safety Corps. Nigeria drives on the RIGHT and you overtake on the LEFT. The test draws on the Nigerian Highway Code, and is commonly delivered as a computer-based test (CBT) of 35 multiple-choice questions with a 60 percent pass mark, meaning you need 21 correct. This guide covers road signs and their meaning, road markings and overtaking, the rules of the road and the official speed table, safe driving (alcohol, seatbelts, horn and pedestrian crossings), and licensing, the FRSC classes A to I and the documents you must produce on demand.
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On this page
- Road signs and meaning: shapes, colours and the four families
- Road markings: broken, solid-alongside-broken and double-solid lines
- Rules of the road: drive on the right, the speed table and overtaking
- Safe driving: alcohol, seatbelts, the horn and pedestrians
- Licensing and documents: FRSC classes A to I, the CBT and what to carry
Road signs and meaning: shapes, colours and the four families
Nigerian road signs are grouped by shape and colour, and you can identify most of them from the shape alone before you even read the symbol. Warning signs are TRIANGULAR with a red border, regulatory prohibitory signs are CIRCULAR with a red border, regulatory mandatory signs are BLUE circles, and informative or guide signs are RECTANGULAR. Two signs keep a unique shape so they are recognisable even when dirty or seen from an angle: STOP is the only eight-sided (octagonal) sign, and GIVE WAY or YIELD is shown as an inverted, downward-pointing triangle.[1][2]
| Family | Shape and colour | Meaning and examples |
|---|---|---|
| Warning (danger) | Triangle with a RED border | Warns of a hazard ahead. Railway level crossing with or without a gate, Y-junction, T-junction, cross-road ahead, carriageway narrows, narrow bridge, dangerous bend or double bend, pedestrian crossing ahead, children crossing near schools, beware of animals, road works ahead, roundabout ahead, slippery surface, falling rocks, uneven road, ferry. |
| Regulatory (prohibitory) | Circle with a RED border | Gives a negative order; forbids an action. No left turn, no right turn, no U-turn, overtaking prohibited, no horn (silence zone), maximum speed limit, end of speed restriction, no entry for all vehicles, no entry for lorries, no entry over a stated weight or height, no parking, no stopping (clearway). |
| Regulatory (mandatory) | BLUE circle | Gives a positive order; commands an action you must take. Keep right, pass either side, turn left, turn right, one way, two way, keep to roundabout, compulsory cycle track, priority to oncoming vehicle, minimum speed limit, diversion. |
| Informative / guide | Rectangle | Gives directions, distances and information about facilities along the road. |
| STOP | Eight-sided (octagonal) sign | The only octagonal sign. Come to a complete stop, then move slowly to a point of maximum visibility and check both sides before proceeding. |
| GIVE WAY / YIELD | Inverted (downward-pointing) triangle | Slow down and be ready to stop to let traffic on the major road go first. |
Road markings: broken, solid-alongside-broken and double-solid lines
Road markings tell you where you may and may not overtake. The pattern of the centre line is what matters: whether it is broken, solid alongside broken, or two solid lines. Learn the overtaking rule for each pattern and most marking questions answer themselves.[1]
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Broken (dotted) centre line | Used where there are no restrictions on overtaking. You may cross when the road ahead is clear. |
| Solid line alongside a broken line | You may not overtake if the solid line is on your side. You may cross only if the broken line is on your side. |
| Double solid centre lines | Overtaking is strictly forbidden for traffic in both directions. Do not cross. |
| Solid edge line | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Solid white stop line at an intersection | Where you must stop for a Give Way sign, a Stop sign or a red traffic light. |
| Zebra lines and cross walks | You must stop for pedestrians who have stepped onto the lines. |
| Diagonal-line (hatched) markings | Used to separate or protect traffic. |
Rules of the road: drive on the right, the speed table and overtaking
Nigeria drives on the RIGHT and you overtake on the LEFT. The overtaking routine is look, signal, look again, then move; and if you are in any doubt, do not overtake. The junction routine is look left, then right, then left again. On a dual carriageway treat each half as a separate road; you may wait at the central dividing strip.[1]
| Vehicle | Built-up area | Highway | Expressway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private cars | 50 km/h | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Taxis and buses | 50 km/h | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Tankers and trailers | 45 km/h | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Motorcycles | 50 km/h | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
- At a STOP sign make a complete stop, then move slowly to a point of maximum visibility and check both sides before proceeding.[1]
- At a GIVE WAY (double broken white lines) slow down and be ready to stop to let traffic on the major road go first.[1]
- On a dual carriageway, treat each half as a separate road; you may wait at the central dividing strip.[1]
- Use the junction routine: look left, then right, then left again.[1]
Safe driving: alcohol, seatbelts, the horn and pedestrians
- The maximum blood-alcohol limit is 0.05 percent (0.5 grammes per litre).[1]
- You must fasten your seatbelt and ensure that everyone in the vehicle belts up.[1]
- Sound the horn only to warn other road users of your presence, not to demand right of way.[1]
- At a pedestrian crossing, slow down and be prepared to stop. You must stop for pedestrians who have stepped onto a zebra crossing.[1]
- Drive more slowly in bad weather, on defective roads, or where visibility is poor.[1]
Licensing and documents: FRSC classes A to I, the CBT and what to carry
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was first established by Decree 45 of 1988 and re-enacted by the FRSC (Establishment) Act 2007. Its functions include making the highways safe, preventing and minimising accidents, clearing obstructions from highways, designing and issuing driver's licences and number plates, educating road users, and enforcing traffic law; its members have the power to arrest and prosecute offenders.[2][3]
| Class | Covers |
|---|---|
| A | Motorcycle. |
| B | Motor vehicle under 3 tonnes, other than a motorcycle, taxi, stage carriage or omnibus. |
| C | Motor vehicle under 3 tonnes other than a motorcycle. |
| D | Motor vehicle excluding an articulated vehicle or one drawing a trailer. |
| E | Motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or an articulated vehicle. |
| F | Agricultural machines and tractors. |
| G | Articulated vehicles. |
| H | Earth-moving vehicles. |
| I | Special class for physically handicapped persons. |
- Train at an accredited driving school.[2]
- Obtain a learner's permit.[2]
- Get a medical certificate.[2]
- Pass the driving test and obtain a VIO certificate of proficiency.[2]
- Complete the application at a Driver's Licence Centre and capture your biometric data.[2]
- Receive a temporary licence valid for 60 days, then collect the permanent licence.[2]
Ready to practice?
Try the FRSC Driver's Licence Test (Nigeria) - 45 questions in the pool, 25-question timed exam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for the FRSC CBT?
The FRSC driver's licence theory test is commonly a computer-based test of 35 multiple-choice questions, each with four options and a 30-minute time limit. The pass mark is 60 percent, which means you must answer 21 of the 35 questions correctly to pass.
Which side does Nigeria drive on?
Nigeria drives on the RIGHT, and you overtake on the LEFT. The overtaking routine is look, signal, look again, then move, and if you are in any doubt you do not overtake.
What documents must I produce?
On demand to the FRSC or the Police you must produce a valid driver's licence, your vehicle particulars (proof of ownership or vehicle licence), an insurance certificate and a roadworthiness certificate.
What is the role of the FRSC?
The Federal Road Safety Corps makes the highways safe, prevents and minimises accidents, clears obstructions from highways, designs and issues driver's licences and number plates, educates road users and enforces traffic law. Its members have the power to arrest and prosecute offenders. It was established by Decree 45 of 1988 and re-enacted by the FRSC (Establishment) Act 2007.
What do the different road-sign shapes mean?
Warning signs are triangular with a red border. Regulatory prohibitory signs are circular with a red border and give a negative order. Regulatory mandatory signs are blue circles and give a positive order. Informative or guide signs are rectangular. STOP is the only octagonal sign, and Give Way is an inverted, downward-pointing triangle.
When am I not allowed to overtake?
Overtaking is forbidden at or approaching a pedestrian crossing, a bus stop, a road junction, a corner or bend, a narrow bridge, a place where the road narrows, a level crossing or a hilltop, and across double solid white centre lines. Where a solid line runs alongside a broken line you may not overtake if the solid line is on your side.
What are the speed limits in Nigeria?
For private cars the limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on the highway and 100 km/h on the expressway. Taxis and buses are limited to 50, 80 and 90 km/h. Tankers and trailers are limited to 45, 50 and 60 km/h. Motorcycles are limited to 50 km/h.
What is the blood-alcohol limit for driving in Nigeria?
The maximum blood-alcohol limit is 0.05 percent, equal to 0.5 grammes of alcohol per litre. You must also fasten your seatbelt, ensure everyone in the vehicle belts up, and sound the horn only to warn others of your presence, not to demand right of way.
References
- [1]Nigerian Highway Code - Federal Road Safety Corps
- [2]Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) - Federal Road Safety Corps
- [3]Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act 2007 - National Assembly of Nigeria, 2007