Driving Differences: Chile vs. Cyprus Explained
When navigating the roads of Chile and Cyprus, drivers encounter notable distinctions that impact their travel experience. Key variations include driving on opposite sides of the road, differing speed limits, and unique traffic regulations. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless 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; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
cyprus:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Cyprus |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
chile:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
cyprus:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Substantial and strict |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
cyprus:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | 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
chile:
133
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay