Driving in Cyprus vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
Exploring the road regulations between Cyprus and the Czech Republic reveals intriguing contrasts essential for ensuring safety on foreign routes. Notably, Cyprus drives on the left while the Czech Republic adheres to right-side driving. Additionally, speed limits and road markings vary significantly, impacting how travelers navigate both countries effectively.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
czech republic:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
czech republic:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
czech republic:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
czech republic:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cyprus:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
czech republic:
Not used.
Horn Usage: Allowed
cyprus:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
cyprus:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
cyprus:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cyprus:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
cyprus:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cyprus:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
cyprus:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
cyprus:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
cyprus:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
cyprus:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
cyprus:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
cyprus:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
cyprus:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
cyprus:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
cyprus:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cyprus:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
cyprus:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
cyprus:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
cyprus:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
cyprus:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
czech republic:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
cyprus:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
cyprus:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cyprus:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
cyprus:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
cyprus:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
cyprus:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
cyprus:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
cyprus:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
cyprus:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.