Driving in Cyprus vs. Philippines: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into Cyprus or the Philippines, understanding the unique regulations and practices on the road is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Cyprus versus the right in the Philippines, varying speed limits, and differing rules regarding overtaking and lane usage. Stay informed for a safer travel experience!
Lanes
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| 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 PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| 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 occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
philippines:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
philippines:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
cyprus:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
philippines:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
philippines:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
cyprus:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
| 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
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
philippines:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance