Driving in Cyprus vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Cyprus and Pakistan, understanding the variations in traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance levels, these countries exhibit notable distinctions. Prepare for unique driving experiences that prioritize safety within their respective frameworks.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
cyprus:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used |
| 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 in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cyprus:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| 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
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
cyprus:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay