Driving in Cyprus vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Cyprus and North Macedonia, travelers encounter distinct rules and regulations that can impact their journeys. Key differences include driving on the left in Cyprus versus the right in North Macedonia, as well as varying speed limits and traffic sign conventions. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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 with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
north macedonia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Signals
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Prepare to go |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cyprus:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
cyprus:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cyprus:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cyprus:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay