Driving in Cyprus vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences Explored
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safety. This comparison between Cyprus and Saudi Arabia reveals significant distinctions, such as driving on the left versus the right side of the road, varying speed limits, and unique signaling practices. Stay informed to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
saudi arabia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
saudi arabia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Documentation
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cyprus:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
saudi arabia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 993 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
saudi arabia:
993
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay