Driving in Armenia vs. Cyprus: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Armenia and Cyprus, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Armenia versus the left in Cyprus, and variations in speed limits and lane usage. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts can enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Armenia | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
armenia:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
armenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
armenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
armenia:
Use rightmost lane.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
armenia:
Yes
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
armenia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
armenia:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
armenia:
20 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
90 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
cyprus:
Yes
Signals
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Not used in Cyprus |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
armenia:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
cyprus:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial and strict |
Limits: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
cyprus:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
armenia:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
armenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
armenia:
911
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay