Driving in Cyprus vs. South Africa: Key Safety Insights
Driving in Cyprus and South Africa presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. While both nations prioritize road safety, key distinctions arise in speed limits, lane markings, and enforcement practices. This essential comparison will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate these diverse roadways confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
cyprus:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay