Driving in Cyprus vs. Morocco: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Cyprus and Morocco reveals distinct contrasts that can impact traveler safety. While Cyprus drives on the left with stricter alcohol limits, Morocco adheres to right-side driving and a more lenient approach to certain speed limits. Understanding these variances is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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: 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: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
morocco:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
morocco:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
morocco:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
morocco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
morocco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
morocco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
morocco:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
morocco:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
morocco:
N/A
Signals
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Morocco |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
cyprus:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
morocco:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Documentation
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the 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
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| 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 at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
morocco:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
morocco:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
morocco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
morocco:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
morocco:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 19 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
morocco:
19
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible but fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay