Driving in Cyprus vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Uncovered
When exploring the roads of Cyprus and Taiwan, travelers will encounter notable contrasts in driving regulations and road etiquette. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Cyprus versus the right in Taiwan, varied speed limits, and unique signaling practices. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Taiwan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; 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
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or 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
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| 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
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
taiwan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay