Driving in Cyprus vs. Jordan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Cyprus and Jordan, understanding the distinctions in traffic rules and regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key contrasts include driving on the left in Cyprus versus the right in Jordan, and variations in speed limits and road signage. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge for a safe driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| 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 only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
jordan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not typically used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
jordan:
Not typically used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
jordan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
cyprus:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
jordan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
jordan:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
jordan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 911 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
jordan:
911
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay