Driving in Cyprus vs Greece: Key Differences Explained
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations between Cyprus and Greece, two captivating Mediterranean destinations. Key distinctions include the driving side—left in Cyprus and right in Greece—as well as varying speed limits and enforcement practices. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey while navigating their unique roadways.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Allowed 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 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
greece:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
greece:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Greece |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
greece:
Not used in Greece
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
greece:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay