Driving in Cyprus vs. Romania: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique driving landscapes of Cyprus and Romania, where navigating the roads involves distinct regulations and practices. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol consumption policies, highlighting Romania's stricter approach to driving safety. Discover essential tips to enhance your road awareness and ensure a secure journey in these two diverse destinations.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
romania:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Romania |
| 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; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
romania:
Not used in Romania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
romania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| 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 | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
cyprus:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist