Driving in Cyprus vs. Oman: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Cyprus and Oman, where road rules and regulations vary significantly. From driving sides to speed limits, understanding these contrasts is crucial for safe navigation. Key highlights include Cyprus's left-side driving and Oman’s strict zero-tolerance alcohol policy, ensuring your journey remains secure and informed.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
oman:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
oman:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Signals
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Oman |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
oman:
Not used in Oman
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
oman:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Turns
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
Documentation
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Regular inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
oman:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 9999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment