Driving in Cyprus vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Explained
Welcome to our comprehensive driving comparison between Cyprus and Sri Lanka, where we explore the distinct nuances of road regulations and safety practices. Key highlights include differing overtaking rules, speed limits, and lane markings, which play a crucial role in ensuring safe journeys in both countries. Stay informed to drive confidently abroad!
Lanes
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
cyprus:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
sri lanka:
Signal when exiting
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cyprus:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Documentation
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay