Driving in Cyprus vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the roads of Cyprus and Uzbekistan, understanding the distinct rules and regulations is crucial for a safe journey. While Cyprus drives on the left, Uzbekistan adheres to right-side travel, reflecting fundamental contrasts in lane usage and traffic protocols. This comparison highlights essential aspects like speed limits, road etiquette, and signaling conventions to ensure your driving experience abroad is both informed and secure.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided 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 discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cyprus:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
uzbekistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
cyprus:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cyprus:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Annual inspections required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cyprus:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
uzbekistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
cyprus:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines