Driving in Cyprus vs. Qatar: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Cyprus and Qatar presents distinct challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. With Cyprus adhering to left-side driving and Qatar to the right, road markings, speed limits, and traffic protocols vary significantly. Familiarizing yourself with these crucial variations will enhance your safety and confidence while navigating abroad.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| 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 authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
qatar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
qatar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
qatar:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
qatar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
qatar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Qatar |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
qatar:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
qatar:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
qatar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties