Driving Differences: Cyprus vs. Spain Explained
Explore the diverse road regulations and practices between Cyprus and Spain. From lane usage and speed limits to signaling and emergency protocols, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions that influence driving safety abroad. Understanding these variations will ensure a smoother journey, whether navigating Cyprus' left-sided lanes or Spain's right-handed roads.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay