Driving in Cyprus vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts between driving in Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates. From the distinct sides of the road to varying traffic regulations and speed limits, this comparison reveals crucial information for safe navigation abroad. Understanding these unique driving customs can significantly enhance your journey and ensure a secure experience on the roads.
Lanes
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the left edge on some 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 multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cyprus:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-40 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 | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in UAE |
| 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 discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay