Driving in Cyprus vs. Libya: Key Safety Differences
When traveling to Cyprus or Libya, understanding their unique road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Notably, Cyprus drives on the left while Libya adheres to the right. Additionally, speed limits and traffic markings vary significantly, impacting navigation and compliance. Explore these vital distinctions to ensure your driving experience abroad is both secure and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Not commonly designated. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
libya:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
libya:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
libya:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
libya:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 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: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Signals
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Libya |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cyprus:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
libya:
Not used in Libya
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
libya:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Turns
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| 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
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
libya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
libya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies by area |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
libya:
Varies by area
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days