A guide to driving in

CYPRUS
VISITOR INFORMATION AT A GLANCE

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Cyprus has a population of around one million, comprised of two main ethnic
communities, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots

There are more than 801000 registered vehicles.

In this number, there are 550000 passenger cars, 134200 trucks, 1930 taxis,
52400 Motorcycles, 11000 hired vehicles without a driver, 3950 buses.

The island of Cyprus is situated at the north-eastern end of the Mediterranean

basin, covering an area of 9,251 sq km.

Greek and Turkish are the official languages. Also, English is extensively spoken,
especially in tourist areas.

The international car ID code is ‘CY’

Please see next page for comprehensive

Information on specific road rules and
TISPOL’s advice on safer driving.

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A guide to driving in CYPRUS

Driving facts
The minimum driving age is 18 years old. The minimum driving age for learner
drivers of salon cars is 17.5 years old.

Riding a motorbike is permitted from the age of 17.

Motorway speed limits

The maximum speed limit is 100 km/h for buses, passenger cars and
motorcyclists. The minimum speed limit is 65 Km/h.

The maximum speed limit is 80 km/h for trucks (heavier than 3,000 kg) and also
for vehicles with a trailer. The minimum speed limit is 65 Km/h.

Driving a vehicle on a highway by a person who holds a learner΄s license is not

allowed, except for training purposes only and provided that he or she is
accompanied by a licensed driver instructor, or for testing purposes for obtaining
full driving license.

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Vehicles that have not been manufactured for speeding above 65 Km/h, are
strictly not allowed to be driven on motorways (highways).

Driving Rules in Residential Areas

Here, the maximum speed is 50 km/h, if there is no other traffic signal to
determine.

Speed limits for specific categories of motor vehicles

As maximum speed limit for trucks, trailers, articulated vehicles and trailers which
have weight greater than 3,000 kg on roads with two lanes, the limit of 64 km/h
has been set, while on roads with four lanes, a limit of 80 km/h has been set.

Where road signaling provides lower speed limit, this lower speed limit applies.

Annual road deaths

Number of road deaths 2013: 44

Number of road deaths 2014: 45

Number of road deaths 2015: 57

Visitors:
Visitors that bring their car for personal use during their stay can drive it on the
roads of Cyprus provided the vehicle is accompanied by a certificate of registration
and a valid circulation license of the country of origin. If the later expires during
their stay in Cyprus, the corresponding fee must be paid, so that a Cyprus
circulation license is issued, by the competent authority (Road Transport
Department). The vehicle must be covered by a valid Insurance Certificate,
covering a third party liability. Also, the driver must be a holder of a valid driving
license.

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Periodic Inspection for roadworthiness:
Vehicles must be inspected and pass the roadworthiness test at specified
intervals, otherwise, their circulation license is invalided / cancelled.

Private vehicles must be inspected four years after their first registration as new
and then every two years, at inspection centers of the private sector. All other
vehicles (e.g. buses, trucks) are, in general, inspected at the Road Transport
Department’s Inspection centers, one year after their registration and then every
year.

Road Policing
In Cyprus every uniformed police officer has a legal authority to carry out traffic
checks. Cyprus Police, in line with TISPOL policy, has recognised the value of
moving from a ‘Traffic Policing’ model to a «Road Policing» model, where more
effective and efficient use is made of specialist traffic police officers.

Cyprus Police is focused not only on traffic offences but also on criminal activities
on the roads in order to secure the safety and security of European citizens and to
deny criminals use of the roads. This strategy is in line with European Union
Internal Security Strategies (ISS) and Transport policies.

Changes in Legislation
Changes were made in 2010, to traffic regulations making the use of headlights on
motorbikes obligatory during daytime hours. Therefore, if you are going to drive a
motorcycle or moped, bear in mind that the headlights must be switched on during
the daytime also.

The Law on Registration Number Plates was first implemented in 2010, under
which the police can entrap a vehicle, with no registration plates, or if involved in
other similar offenses (e.g. registration number plates not readable). This law is of
great importance, in order to facilitate tackling the criminals.

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Drink-drive

According to the existing legislation, It is prohibited to drive if the levels of

alcohol in the blood or breath are above the admissible limit. The
admissible limit in the blood is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100
millilitres of blood (BAC 0.5 mg/ml). The admissible limit in the
breath is up to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of exhaled
air.

In 2012, the House of Representatives passed amendments governing the

issuing of fines. With these, the issuing of a fine when driving under the
influence of alcohol became possible for the first time. The fines were
separated in gradients, since July, 2012, depending on the quantity of
alcohol in a breath sample when it is more than the specified, by law, limit
of 22 μg but less than 70μg.

Since the 6th of May, 2015, a new alcohol limit has been prescribed for the
following categories of drivers:

Persons who have been holders of a driving licence for less than three
years, learner drivers, persons driving motorbikes, motorcycles, tricycles,
quadricycles, drivers of lorries of a maximum weight that exceeds 3.5 tons,
drivers of buses with more than eight passenger seats, not including the
driver’s seat, taxi drivers when driving on duty and drivers of vehicles that
carry dangerous cargo.

The new prescribed limit for the above mentioned categories is 9

micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath or 20 milligrams of
alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

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Similar amendments governing the issuing of fines for the above special
categories of drivers are expected to be passed in the near future, after a
proposal that was submitted by the Police, in June, 2015.

For those offences that a police officer or the court may impose penalty
points, there are legal provisions in article 20A, of the Motor Vehicles Law
(Law 86/1972, as amended). Among these offences is the driving under
the influence of alcohol and the refusal or avoidance of a driver to give a
Breath Sample for preliminary or final testing.

Those penalty points accumulated electronically on a driver΄s licence, after

the payment of penalty notices are not considered to be convictions. Only
court decisions are considered to be convictions. Nevertheless, all penalty
points are considered seriously when a decision is going to be taken for the
revocation of a driving licence.

The aim for the future is to develop the use of alcohol interlocks in
rehabilitation programmes for high level offenders and for repeated
offenders.

In Cyprus, according to the statistics available, during the period 2011 –

2015, driving under the under the Influence of Alcohol was the most serious
cause of fatal road traffic collisions: 28.96% of all fatal road traffic collisions
occurred due to this traffic violation.

The aim is to intensify enforcement of drink driving laws by setting targets

for minimum levels of alcohol checks of the motorist population: 1 in 3
motorists should be checked each year.

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Enforcement
The use of hand-held mobile phones or other devices while driving is prohibited.
Drivers wishing to use their mobile phone whilst driving must use a hands-free
device. Nevertheless, this is not recommended.

Seatbelts are obligatory both in the front and back seats of motor vehicles.

Driving a motorcycle: If you are going to drive a motorcycle or moped you must
have the following in mind:

The law states that both the driver and passenger must wear a helmet. A
passenger can be carried on suitable motorcycles/mopeds provided that he / she is
over 12-years-old and sits astride the seat.

If you will be driving a motor vehicle during your stay, please note that a valid driving
licence is required. Keep in mind the following:

European citizens may drive using their country’s driving licence.

Non-European visitors may drive using their country’s driving licence for a
maximum period of 30 days or on a valid international driving licence.

In Cyprus, law enforcement officers are authorised to give on-the-spot fixed

penalty fines. In certain cases where offences are not within the fixed penalty
system, offenders receive a summons to court.

If a driving licence is revoked or repealed after a court decision, then it can be

regained and be valid again, after the period ordered, by the court, expires.

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Highways:

Vehicles move in the left lane. Use of the right lane is only allowed when:

Over taking another vehicle

The left lane is not free

Giving priority to a vehicle entering the highway

The following is forbidden on highways:

- To stop and/or park a vehicle

- Use by pedestrians.

- Use by cyclists, motorcyclists or agricultural vehicles

Unusual traffic laws

Remember to drive on the LEFT in Cyprus, like in the UK but unlike most of the
rest of Europe.

Be careful before sounding your horn in Cyprus. Horns should be used only when
it is deemed necessary in order for the drivers to warn other road users for their
presence on the road any road.

Horns should not be used at any time in residential areas except on emergency.

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Useful regulations and advice
What documents must I be able to produce if requested by the police?

If stopped, you should be able to show your valid driving licence, vehicle
registration documents, proof of insurance, proof of roadworthiness, vehicle
circulation licence.

Do I need to carry a reflective jacket in my car? If so, how many?

There is no obligation for that, but people are advised to do that. Especially at
night, they are strongly recommended to do that.

Do I need to carry a first – aid kit or a fire extinguisher?

First – aid kits and fire extinguishers must always be carried by taxis, buses
and public use Lorries. The drivers of these vehicles must have the above
items in a proper place and in such a condition that they can be used at any
moment, during an emergency.

This legal obligation does not cover private cars, but nevertheless, drivers are
recommended to bring always such equipment in their car, for their own safety,
in case of emergency.

Any other requirements I should be aware of, regarding the equipment or

paperwork I need for a journey in or through your country?

It is compulsory for drivers to carry two red warning triangles, with a base, in their
vehicle and use it to warn other traffic, if they are involved in an incident,
breakdown or a road traffic collision or if they park or immobilize their vehicle.
They have to place one of the triangles at the back side of their car, in a distance
of 6 metres, in residential areas and in a distance of 50 metres, outside of
residential areas, including the highways.

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Winter driving
What items are required or recommended for journeys made in winter?

There are no specific requirements. Winter in Cyprus usually brings wet weather,
so extra care is recommended.

Passengers
Is there a minimum age or height for a passenger to ride in the front seat?

There is not any age limit, but for children apply specific rules, that have to be
followed strictly. You may only use approved safety systems of the European
Union for your children. Restraints should be used, depending on the weight, age
and size of each child.

Do you have any specific rules regarding the carriage of dogs and other
pets?

Yes. If animals are transported by cars, they should be transported in cages or

boxes that are specifically made for this purpose.

Breakdown and collision advice

Please give brief advice on what I should do if my vehicle breaks down, on
the motorway and on other roads.

If you are in a rented car, contact the rental company, giving them details of what
has gone wrong, as well as your location. If you are travelling in your own car, and
do not have breakdown recovery insurance, then you can request assistance
direct from a recovery firm.

You will have to pay for this service.

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Please give clear advice on what I am required to do if I am involved in a
collision.

If you are involved in a serious or slight road traffic collision, while driving on a
road in Cyprus, the police should always be contacted. When you call the
emergency number (112 or 199) it is directed to the Police in the first instance.
The Police will call an ambulance or the fire service to the scene, if required. At
the same time, you should contact your insurance company, in order to visit the
scene of the collision.

If you are involved in a road traffic collision, with material damages only, while
driving on a road in Cyprus, the police should be contacted if these damages are
serious or if driving offences occurred or under special circumstances, where, for
example, the road is blocked.

Otherwise, you should only contact your insurance company.

Local knowledge
Are there any dangers to road users from wildlife? If so, in which parts of
your country?

No, but if animals exist in a region and you have to be more careful, you will be
informed accordingly, by the traffic signs.

Which roads do you suggest should be avoided by visitors (because they

are very busy at certain times, or they have a high collision rate)?

There are no specific roads to avoid. However, it is not unusual for a ‘good’ road to
come to a sudden end and for it to continue as a dirt track. Be especially careful
around roadworks sites, where signage may not be clear and workers themselves
may take unnecessary risks.

We have a modern and efficient road system that enables easy travel between all
major towns and many places of interest.

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And finally......

«You‘ll be given the warmest of welcomes in Cyprus! This beautiful island lies at
the crossroads of three continents, where East meets West and has a long history
that dates back 10,000 years. As you travel around, you will discover that this
island, with its clear blue beaches and its green mountain range, is also a large
open – air museum, where you can see evidence of its chequered past, making it
a mosaic of different civilizations and periods.

We hope you enjoy your time with us in Cyprus and take the opportunity to
explore the island. At the same time, we want you to be safe on our roads. Traffic
police are busy enforcing different areas of road traffic legislation, in order to
ensure that the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads of
Cyprus continues to drop and disappear!!!!!

Bear in mind the drink drive limit, the speed limit and your obligations in general,
such as wearing a seat belt or a helmet. So, please go safe and go sober.
Welcome to our country. » Yiannakis Charalambous. TISPOL, Cyprus

More information
For more information about driving in CYPRUS please see the European
Commission Road Safety Link - 'Going Abroad'

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/going_abroad/cyprus/index_en.htm

or

Cyprus Police website: www.police.gov.cy

or Cyprus Police and SBA Police website: www.drivetogether.eu

or Road Transport Department website: http://rtd.mcw.gov.cy

or Cyprus Tourism Organization website: www.visitcyprus.com

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