Driving in Cyprus vs Italy: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Cyprus and Italy reveals notable contrasts that are essential for ensuring a safe travel experience. From varying speed limits and lane usage rules to distinct traffic signals, understanding these nuances is vital for any motorist. This comparison highlights key distinctions to help you navigate each country with confidence.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
italy:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
italy:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
italy:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
italy:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| 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
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
italy:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
italy:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days