Driving Differences: Cyprus vs Madagascar Uncovered
Exploring the distinct road rules of Cyprus and Madagascar reveals intriguing contrasts that can significantly impact your driving experience. While Cyprus adheres to left-side travel and strict speed limits, Madagascar favors right-side navigation and variable speed restrictions. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Typically not used. |
| 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 recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
madagascar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
cyprus:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 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 | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cyprus:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
madagascar:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
cyprus:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
cyprus:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
cyprus:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cyprus:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Indication may vary |
| 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
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cyprus:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
cyprus:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
cyprus:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority