Seatbelt Requirements
The wearing of front and rear seatbelts is compulsory when fitted.
Children Passengers
Children under the age of five must not, under any circumstances, sit in the front passenger seat. Children from five to ten years old may occupy the front passenger seat only if an appropriate child restraint has been fitted. Smoking is not permitted if any passenger is under the age of 16.
Drink Driving Limits
90mg/100ml (UK 80mg/100ml). (This limit is currently under review)
Minimum Driving Age
The minimum driving age using a full UK licence is 18
Speed Limits
Distances are marked in Km and speed signs in Kph
Urban kph (mph)
Open Road kph (mph)
Motorway kph (mph)
Car
50 (31)
80 (50)
100 (62)
Towing
50 (31)
80 (50)
100 (62)
Lights
Dipped headlights must be used half an hour before sunset and half an hour after sunrise.
Fuel
Most filling stations are found only in the major towns on Cyprus.
Tolls
There are no toll roads on Cyprus.
Parking
Parking places (municipal and private) are found in town centres, charging approximately CY£1.00 for a half day's parking.
Fines
In the case of a foreign licence holder (e.g. a tourist) the courts can fine or imprison the offending driver.
Parking on the zigzags or in controlled areas of a pedestrian crossing – CY£15.00.
Parking facing the flow of traffic on the right hand side of the road or in a restricted area – CY£15.00.
Those who are caught contravening road traffic law will be required to pay the fine for non-endorsable offences.
Mobile Phones
We have no information on the official legislation regarding mobile phones.
Emergency Numbers
Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.
Local number:
Police/Fire/Ambulance - 199
Other Useful Information
Check the condition of hire cars as some, especially from small, local companies, are in poor condition. Number plates on hire cars start with a ‘Z’, which can make them a target for thieves, so keep valuables hidden and remove them when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Driving in Cyprus by RoADS
This article is courtesy of the Cypriot Road Safety and Advanced Driving Society (RoADS)
When driving in Cyprus you must assume full responsibility for your own safety. Remember that some drivers may not be capable and competent.
You must take into account the fact that Cyprus has very many tourists. It is their nature to be relaxed, often looking around at the scenery, or maybe even lost. They are also likely to be driving vehicles that they are unfamiliar with. They may not be concentrating fully on their driving and as a result may well make driving decisions and act in a way that they would not contemplate when driving at home.
Many Cypriot drivers have been brought up in a totally different driving environment than many Europeans. Their training and knowledge was adequate at one time for the environment that they had to operate in. Unfortunately the training has remained static while the remainder of Cyprus progresses. You should expect that some of the decisions some drivers make can seem to you unreasoned and irrational.
The inconsistent way the road network has been expanded does not help matters.
We will identify some common faults and advise you what you might do if confronted by them.
Roadworks
In the EU the signing and operation of roadworks are governed by strict rules. Failure to comply with, for example, the correct number and siting of cones, advanced warning signs etc. by the site operator can lead to closing the site down and to fines.
Cyprus does not yet employ European standards at roadworks. The signing is often very haphazard and can direct you into danger. The workmen themselves seem to lack road sense and put themselves in danger. Treat roadworks with extreme caution. Slow right down or stop if necessary until you are sure that your planned route is safe. Do not just follow other drivers through until you are entirely happy.
Traffic lights and junctions
Cyprus traffic light sequencing and rules will be familiar to most people. However, many local drivers will drive over the white line and well into the junction before stopping. They may not stop at all. Failing to comply with the red light is a common occurrence.
Do not assume that if your light is green it is safe to go. Always treat traffic light controlled junctions with extreme caution.
An inability of drivers to accurately judge the speed of approaching vehicles and poor judgement often manifests itself by vehicles pulling out in front of you from side roads and parking areas at inappropriate times.
Bear in mind that causing you to slowdown, swerve or stop are considered normal by many locals trying to get out of a junction or crossing your path.
Tailgating and overtaking
The inability to judge speed and the lack of knowledge on the handling and acceleration characteristics of their own vehicle often lead to inappropriate or dangerous overtaking. If you see someone travelling behind you who you think will overtake, the chances are they will. Be aware that the driver will not necessarily wait until it is safe to do so.
This may be preceded by a period of tailgating.
Stop Signs
Stop completely at 'stop' signs, pausing to scan the junction with your eyes. If stopping behind another vehicle you must stop again at the white line.
Embassy Details
Address:
British High Commission
Alexander Pallis Street
(PO Box 21978)
1587 Nicosia
or
BFPO 567
Note 1: UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in European Union countries. Countries outside the EU still require national identification.
Note 2: Regardless of local requirements it is always a wise precaution to carry a spare set of vehicle bulbs and adjust headlamp beams for driving on the right. A spare bulb kit will not prevent a fine if you are travelling with faulty lights, but it may avoid the cost and inconvenience of a garage call out. On some cars it is inadvisable or impossible for anyone other than a qualified technician to change a headlamp bulb or lamp unit e.g. high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and carrying spare bulbs is not an option. However, it is recommended that spare bulbs are carried for any lights which may be easily and/or safely replaced by the owner/driver. Do not forget to ensure that you also carry any tools that might be required to change the various bulbs.
Disclaimer EUroadlegal has made every effort to ensure that the information contained on this page is accurate and up-to-date. In most instances the information has been collated from either an official document from the country concerned or from two or more reliable sources. EUroadlegal cannot be held responsible for any actions resulting from the adherence to or ignoring of the information contained on this page. If you would like to contribute by adding, removing or modifying the data on this page based on your own experience, please us.
CYPRUS – drives on the left
