Driving in Cyprus vs. Latvia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Cyprus and Latvia, it's essential to understand their distinct regulations and norms. Key variations include driving on the left in Cyprus versus the right in Latvia, differing speed limits, and unique road signals. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts ensures a safer and more enjoyable driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
latvia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
latvia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
latvia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 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 | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Latvia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on 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
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
cyprus:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
latvia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
latvia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days