Driving in Cyprus — rules & tips
Driving in Cyprus is on the left. It feels odd at first if you’re used to right-hand traffic, but you’ll adapt quickly with a few simple rules.
Driving in Cyprus – Rules & Tips at a Glance
Traffic Basics
- Drive on the left side of the road
- Steering wheel is on the right side
- Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers
- Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited (hands-free allowed)
- Alcohol limit: 0.22mg/l (breath) or 0.5‰ (blood) – but it’s safest not to drink at all
Speed Limits (unless otherwise posted)
- 50 km/h in cities and towns
- 80 km/h on rural roads
- 100 km/h on highways (minimum 65 km/h)
Speed Enforcement
- Fixed speed cameras are installed at some intersections and roads mainly in larger cities like Limassol
- Mobile speed control is often done by unmarked white or silver vans with small back windows and tinted glass
Parking & Fees
- Many areas (especially outside city centers) offer free parking
- If parking meters exist, signs are clearly marked and machines are easy to use
- Illegal parking may result in fines or clamping
Roundabouts & Right of Way
- At roundabouts, vehicles inside the circle have priority, and you drive clockwise (to the left)
- Unlike in some countries, “right-before-left” is not the general rule – follow posted signs or traffic lights
Good to Know
- Public transport is limited, especially outside cities – almost all people rely on cars
- Pedestrians do not always have priority, even on zebra crossings — stay alert
- Flashing headlights often mean “go ahead” or “I let you pass”
- On straight roads (no intersections) cars often don’t wait until the traffic light turns green but rather accelerate if nobody is in sight. However strictly speaking this is forbidden.
- Fuel stations are often self-service with automated machines — bring a card. They are easy to use.