Driving in Croatia vs. Cyprus: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Croatia and Cyprus, understanding their distinct regulations is vital for ensuring safe travels. Key contrasts include driving on the right in Croatia versus the left in Cyprus, varying speed limits, and differing protocols for emergency vehicles. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Croatia | 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 | Not commonly practiced. | 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' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
croatia:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
croatia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
croatia:
Use rightmost lane.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
croatia:
Yes
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Signals
| Croatia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Cyprus |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Documentation
| Croatia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | 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
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Croatia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial and strict |
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Croatia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
croatia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or 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: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay