Driving in Algeria vs. Cyprus: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Algeria and Cyprus. From diverse driving orientations—right in Algeria and left in Cyprus—to varying speed limits and unique traffic signs, understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure journey. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to enhance your awareness and ensure safe travels abroad.
Lanes
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
algeria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
cyprus:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
cyprus:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
cyprus:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Cyprus |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
algeria:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
cyprus:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
cyprus:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial and strict |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
cyprus:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
algeria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay