Imagine handing a stranger a ₦20,000 cash bribe to escape a traffic penalty, only to discover the official fine was a mere ₦2,000.
In Nigeria, ignorance on the highway is a multi-million naira industry. Every day, thousands of motorists surrender their hard-earned money and peace of mind to roadside extortion, simply because they do not know the price of their infractions.
In reality, a vast majority of traffic fines cost less than the price of a standard meal. Knowing the exact fines for road offences is not just a matter of legal compliance; it is a driver's ultimate shield against intimidation, financial exploitation, and systemic corruption
The following is a list of approved traffic infringements and standard penalties enforced nationwide:
🔑Instructors Permit and Training Violation:2,000
🔑Light / Sign Violation: 2,000
🔑Obstructing Marshal on Duty: 2,000
🔑School Bus Violation: 2,000
🔑Seat Belt Violation:2,000
🔑Under Age Driving: 2,000
🔑Use of Sirens Violation: 2,000
🔑Vehicle Windshield Violation: 2,000
🔑Caution Sign Violation: 3,000
🔑Child Restraint / Sitting Position Violation: 3,000
🔑Construction Area Speed Limit Violation: 3,000
🔑Driving Right-Hand Steering Vehicle:3,000 forfeiture of vehicle
🔑Driving with Worn-out Tyre:3,000
🔑Failure to Fix Red Flag on Projected Load: 3,000
🔑Failure to Move Over: 3,000
🔑Failure to Install Speed Limiting Device: 3,000
🔑Fire Extinguisher Violation:3,000
🔑Learners Driving Regulation Violation: 3,000
🔑Projected Load in Excess of Prescribed Limit: 3,000
🔑Riding Motorcycle without Crash Helmet: 3,000
🔑Road Obstruction: 3,000
🔑Vehicle Identification Tag / Licence / Number Plate Violation:3,000
🔑Vehicle Mirror Violation: 3,000
🔑Use of Phone While Driving: 4,000
🔑Driving Under Alcohol or Drug Influence: 5,000
🔑Excessive Smoke Emission:5,000
🔑Failure to Cover Unstable Materials: 5,000
🔑Latching and Twist-Locks Violation: 5,000
🔑Operating Mechanically Deficient Vehicle: 5,000
🔑Road Marking Violation: 5,000
🔑Route Violation: 5,000
🔑Speed Limit Violation: 5,000
🔑Unauthorized Removal / Tampering with Road Signs: 5,000
🔑Dangerous Driving: 50,000
🔑Operating a Vehicle with Forged Documents: 20,000
🔑Driver's Licence Violation: 10,000
🔑Overloading: 10,000
🔑Assaulting/Attempting to Corrupt Marshal on Duty: 10,000
Knowledge is the ultimate roadblock to extortion. As long as Nigerian drivers remain blind to the actual cost of their infractions, roadside corruption will continue to thrive as a lucrative industry.
Memorizing the official fine schedule is not just a defensive tactic—it is a civic duty. By replacing fear with financial facts, we disarm intimidation, silence the exploiters, and ensure that the law serves to protect the public rather than deplete their wallets.
© Deborah Ocheja