Driving in Cyprus vs. Hong Kong: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into the roads of Cyprus or Hong Kong, understanding their unique regulations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison reveals key distinctions, such as lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals, guiding you through the intricacies of driving etiquette in each country. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Left | Yes | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| 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 ONLY' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
cyprus:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
hong kong:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
hong kong:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
hong kong:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hong kong:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
hong kong:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
hong kong:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay