Driving in Cyprus vs. New Zealand: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey in Cyprus or New Zealand? Understanding the driving regulations and road practices in these two unique nations is essential for a safe experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and vehicle documentation requirements, making it vital for travelers to familiarize themselves with each country's specific rules of the road.
Lanes
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the right 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 right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in New Zealand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | 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
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
cyprus:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay