Driving in China vs. Cyprus: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of China and Cyprus, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, varied speed limits, and unique lane usages. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will enhance your travel experience and promote safer navigation in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Prohibited. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
cyprus:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
cyprus:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
cyprus:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
cyprus:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
cyprus:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
cyprus:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
cyprus:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
cyprus:
Yes
Signals
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Cyprus |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
cyprus:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
cyprus:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial and strict |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
cyprus:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
cyprus:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 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 |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail