Driving in Cyprus vs. Serbia: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for a safe journey. This comparison between Cyprus and Serbia reveals significant contrasts, such as driving on the left in Cyprus versus the right in Serbia, differing speed limits, and more stringent alcohol regulations in Serbia. Stay informed to ensure a secure travel experience!
Lanes
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
serbia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
serbia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
serbia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
serbia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 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: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
serbia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Serbia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
serbia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
serbia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay