Driving in Cyprus

• Drive on the left in Cyprus (as in the UK, unlike the rest of western Europe)

• Front seat belts for driver and passenger are compulsory.
  Occupants should be belted when they are provided in rear seats. 

• It is obligatory for all children under the age of five to sit in the back, strapped into a proper child car seat. Children from five to ten years of age may occupy the front passenger seat provided a child's seat belt has been fitted.

• Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless using a "handsfree" unit

• Motorcyclists must wear a helmet

• Road signs are in English and Greek

• Distances are marked in kilometres 

• Road speeds are marked in kilometres-per hour (Km/h)

• All roads on the entire island are toll free

• Horns must not be used between 22:00-06:00. Hooting near a hospital is forbidden at any time of day

• Third party liability insurance is obligatory

• Emergency assistance call 199

Items to Carry in the Car

It is compulsory to carry two red warning triangles in the vehicle and use them to warn other traffic when involved in an incident, breakdown or accident.

Driving Licences

Cyprus accepts the driving licences of all EU Member States and any person with a valid licence may drive legally on it in Cyprus. According to EU rulings, old driving licences issued before 1996 do not have to be exchanged for the new Community Model and remain valid until their expiration.

Foreign citizens with an EU licence who are resident in the country may convert their driving licence to a Cyprus licence after six months. The old licence will be returned to the issuing authority. Cyprus licences are issued via the Department of Road Transport 
Non-EU citizens may drive on valid foreign licences for a period (for those with a US licence the period is six months). Please consult the relevant Consular authorities. 

Road Conditions

Driving in Cyprus is almost a necessity as public transport services are not available to all areas or at all times. Well-maintained, good-sized roads connect the villages and the towns, with four lane motorways connecting the main towns of  Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa and Paphos. Minor roads and forest roads are usually kept in good condition although they may be un-surfaced. Many mountain roads may close in the winter.

Drivers should always have sunglasses available as the glare of light can be dangerously blinding, particularly in summer or when driving westward in the late afternoon.

Speed Limits

• The speed limit on motorways is 100 Km/h

• Regional roads: 80 km/h, unless otherwise indicated

• Built up areas (towns and villages): 50 Km/h, unless otherwise indicated

• Speeding is penalised with a fine 

Speed checks are frequent as the police try to stem the high death toll on Cyprus' roads.

Police may use mobile cameras during their speed checks.

Drink Driving or Driving under the Influence of Alcohol

It is illegal to drive a car or motorbike - or even pedal cycle - while under the influence of alcohol. A driver is considered to be driving drunk in Cyprus if:

• The breath/alcohol level equals or exceeds 39 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
• The blood/alcohol level equals or exceeds 90 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0,9 grams per litre)  

A holder of a Cypriot driving licence could have from 3 to 6 points deducted from the licence for drink driving. The fine will be determined by the court. Foreign licence holders not living in Cyprus can be imprisoned or fined on the spot.

• The EU law on driving under the influence of alcohol: Click here  

Parking

Municipal and private parking places and garages are widely available. Pay street parking is available in the town centres (no fee on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, or public holidays).

• It is illegal to park or wait at a double yellow line
• Short stops to load or unload may be made at a single yellow line (although parking is prohibited). 

Petrol & Fuel

• All petrol (gas) stations sell premium and unleaded petrol (super and 95) and diesel
• Petrol is measured by the litre
• Many petrol stations in urban and coastal areas operate with self service machine taking payment by credit card or bank notes. These are usually available 24 hours a day
• Petrol may not be available inland or in rural areas on weekends or public holidays. 
  Note: in August many rural petrol stations may be closed.

Traffic Offences & Penalties

If you commit a traffic offence you will receive a fixed penalty and a ticket. If you do not accept the ticket, you will receive a court summons. The penalties are issued in conjunction with penalty points. The courts have the power to disqualify drivers when they have 12 points on their licence; when the disqualification is removed, the offender will be able to drive again, but the points will remain for another three years.

Points and fines for traffic offences:

• Causing death through dangerous driving: min 5, max. 10
• Hit and run: min 5, max. 10 (The fine will be determined by the court)
• Thoughtless or dangerous driving: min 3, max. 6 (The fine will be determined by the court)
• Careless driving: min 2, max. 4. (The fine will be determined by the court)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol: Min 3, max. 6. (The fine will be determined by the court)
• Ignoring traffic lights: min 2, max. 4 (a fine)
• Motorcyclists without helmets: in built-up areas - min 1, max. 2. Out of town or rural and suburban min 2, max. 4 (a fine)
• Not wearing a seat belt: min 2, max. 4

Accident & Breakdown

In case of accident or breakdown: Note that while there are SOS phones on the motorways these rarely work. It's recommended you carry a cellular/mobile telephone. 

The Cyprus Automobile Association is a non-profit organisation providing 24-hour emergency service to members and members of affiliate organisations.

• CAA 24-hour emergency service: 22 313 131

There are several private 24hr breakdown service and towing companies