Driving Differences: Cyprus vs. Singapore Explained
Understanding the driving contrasts between Cyprus and Singapore is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad. While both nations enforce strict speed limits and pedestrian priorities, their lane markings, bus lane regulations, and alcohol limits vary significantly. Explore these key distinctions to navigate the roads confidently and responsibly in both countries.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the right 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. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Singapore |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
Documentation
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Display not 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
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
cyprus:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
cyprus:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay