Driving in Cyprus vs. South Korea: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Cyprus and South Korea, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience. Key disparities include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage, impacting overall travel safety. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either diverse landscape.
Lanes
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| 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 |
| 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 during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
south korea:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Signals
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in South Korea |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
south korea:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay