Driving in The Bahamas vs. Cyprus: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of the Bahamas and Cyprus, it's essential to understand key distinctions in traffic regulations and driving customs. From speed limits to road markings, both nations present unique rules that impact safety on the streets. This comparison will guide travelers in ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not allowed. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
cyprus:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
cyprus:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
cyprus:
100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
cyprus:
km/h
Signals
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Cyprus |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahamas:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
cyprus:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
cyprus:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial and strict |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
cyprus:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
cyprus:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bahamas:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | 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
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay