Driving in Cyprus vs. Norway: Key Differences Uncovered
When exploring the roads in Cyprus and Norway, drivers encounter distinct regulations essential for ensuring safety on the move. Notably, Cyprus follows left-side driving, while Norway adheres to the right. Understanding speed limits, lane usage, and road etiquette is crucial for a smooth journey across these unique landscapes.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Norway |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
norway:
Not used in Norway
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
norway:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay