In Cyprus, driving is on the left. Visitors often decide to drive themselves in order to be able to visit the more beautiful, remote areas and places of interest that are not accessible by public transport.
The roads are generally well surfaced and modern, except in some mountain areas. Dual lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia, with the coastal towns of Lemesos, Larnaka,
Agia Napa, Protaras and Pafos. The speed limit on motorways is 100 km/h.
Minor roads and forest roads are still largely unsurfaced but in good to fair condition. Appropriate care should be taken on these roads, especially during wet weather.
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- To be permitted to drive in Cyprus, visitors must hold either a valid international driving licence or their national driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.
- Traffic moves on the LEFT-hand side of the road, NOT on the right.
- International road traffic signs are in use, and placed along the roads and highways, on the left-hand side.
- Distances and road speed limits are posted in kilometres and kilometre-per-hour (km/h) respectively.
- The maximum speed limit on the motor-ways is 100 km/h and the minimum speed is 65 km/h. On all other roads the speed limit is 80 km/h, unless a lower one is indicated. As a rule the speed limit in built-up areas is 50km/h, unless otherwise indicated.
- The use of seat-belts is compulsory (front and back).
- Persons 12 years and older with a height over 1,5m must wear seat-belts in the front or back seats of the car.
- Children under the age of 12 or less than 1,5m in height must wear a suitable
safety belt or be restrained with a suitable restraint system.
- Rush hours in the towns are roughly
between 07:30-08:00 / 13:00-13:30 and in the late afternoon 17:00-18:00 in winter, or 18:00-19:00 in summer.
- It is advisable to avoid, if possible, driving due west in the late afternoon, as the glare of the setting sun can be unpleasant and potentially dangerous.
- Due to the sometimes intense brightness of the clear Mediterranean sky, drivers are advised to wear sunglasses.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle or pedal cycle with an alcohol concentration in the breath or blood above the prescribed limit is an offence.
The permissible limit in the blood is 50
milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (BAC 0,5mg/ml). The permissible limit in the breath is up to 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of exhaled air.
- Be sure that you are covered by insurance for injury or damages.
- In case of an accident, call 199 or 112 immediately.
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