Driving in Bhutan vs. Cyprus: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Bhutan and Cyprus, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and overtaking rules. Understanding these variances is essential to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Bhutan | 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | 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
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
cyprus:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
cyprus:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
cyprus:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cyprus:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial and strict |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
cyprus:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
cyprus:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay