Driving in Cyprus vs. Samoa: Key Differences Explained
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations and driving customs between Cyprus and Samoa. From lane markings to speed limits, knowing these contrasts can significantly enhance your travel experience. While Cyprus emphasizes strict adherence to road signs, Samoa offers a different set of traffic rules. Equip yourself with this knowledge for safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the centerline on two-way 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Yes |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| 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.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
cyprus:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Samoa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
samoa:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay