Driving in Cyprus vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Cyprus and Turkey, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage. Cypriots drive on the left, while Turks adhere to right-side driving. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a smoother and safer experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
turkey:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges