Driving in Cyprus

Driving in Cyprus is advisable as regular public transport services are not available to all remote areas where many places of interest are to be found.

Fairly good surfaced roads, complying with international traffic requirements, link the towns and the various villages.

Four lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia with the coastal towns of Lemesos, Larnaka and one part of Pafos.

Minor roads and forest roads are still largely un-surfaced but in good to fair condition. Appropriate care should be taken when using these roads, especially during wet weather.

Visitors wishing to bring their cars to Cyprus can do so, for a period up to 3 months provided the car has a valid registration licence of its country of origin. The period may be extended accordingly, provided the person is considered a visitor by the Department of Customs & Excise.

Hands free during driving is mandatory!
During driving, the driver should take all necessary measures, so that his/her hands are free at all times in order to have full control of the vehicle. Therefore the use of a mobile phone is strictly prohibited.

Driving Licences
Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid International driving licence, or their National driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.
Cyprus Driving Licence: £35 for a lifetime.

European driving licenses are recognized officially by the law 94(1)/01. Driving licenses issued by Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Australia, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, United States of America, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Russia, must be replaced after a period of six months. Non European citizens and citizens who come from the previously mentioned countries are allowed to drive holding their National Driving License for a period of about 30 days (this period is not strictly restricted). If they are holders of an International driving license they are allowed to drive provided their license is valid.

Insurance Requirements for Foreign Motorists Entering Cyprus
As of 1^st May 2004, Cyprus complys to the E.U, as far as Insurance cover is concerned, all 25 E.U. countries plus Switzerland, Croatia, Iceland and Norway will be considered as one territory.
As a result of the above, if a visitor, from one of the 29 Countries mentioned above, brings to Cyprus a motor vehicle bearing the registration plate of one of these countries, he should not be intercepted at his point of entry in Cyprus for proof of Insurance cover, as it is presumed that he is covered by Insurance in his own country, even if he may not be so
covered. In the latter case the International Insurance Bureau of his country will be held responsible to compensate the claimant as a result of the Guarantee Agreement in force. (Unified Agreement or Internal Regulations).
If a foreign visitor brings into Cyprus a motor vehicle bearing a registration plate not belonging to one of the 29 European Countries, then the Cyprus Authorities should check whether the foreign motorist has a valid Green Card In force for Cyprus. A foreign visitor may have a Green Card in force, even if his country of origin is not a member of the Green Card System.
If a foreign visitor has in force a «frontier insurance» issued in one of the 29 European Economic Area Countries, then such a cover will be valid also in Cyprus until its expiry date.
It is possible for a motorist to have a valid Green Card in force, even if his car bears a motor plate of a European country. In this case, the motor plate Country prevails over the Green Card Agreement and the Police Authorities should allow the vehicle to enter Cyprus without checking his Green Card.
If a foreign motorist enters Cyprus and does not have a registration plate belonging to one of the 29 European Countries, but does not have a Green Card valid for Cyprus either, then this motorist should not be allowed to drive his car in the territory of Cyprus. He should be asked first to secure cover to drive in Cyprus for the period he is expecting to stay on the island, with a Cypriot Insurer. It is made clear that the granting of such cover is on the absolute discretion of the Insurance Companies and, in the presence of negative features; he will have a problem to secure Insurance cover. It is, therefore, advisable for a non-European motorist to secure a Green Card before entering Cyprus. As Russia is not a member of the Green Card System, Russian motorists should be advised of the position, so as to avoid possible inconvenience.
In view of the Implementation, as from the 1st May 2004, of the 4th Motor Insurance Directive, all E.U. visitors who may have an accident in Cyprus, for which they intend to claim compensation from a Cypriot Insurer, should get acquainted with the procedure which aims to facilitate them upon their return to their home countries.

For further information please contact:
Motor Insurers' Fund
Zinonos Sozou 23, CY 1075 Lefkosia
Tel: 22763913, Fax: 22761007
P.O. Box: 22030, CY 1516 Lefkosia
E-mail: mif@cytanet.com.cy

Petrol

Fuel may be bought in unlimited quantities at Petrol stations. Brands available are: EKO, Exxon Mobil, Esso, Lukoil, Petrolina, Lina and Agip. Petrol is sold by the litre and 15% VAT is included in all prices.

Petrol Stations Stay Open:
Monday - Friday: 06:00 - 19:00 (April 1 - September 30)
Monday - Friday: 06:00 - 18:00 (October 1 - March 31)
Wednesday: 06:00 - 14:00 (Lefkosia district)
Tuesday: 06:00 - 14:00 (Lemesos, Larnaka, Pafos and Ammochostos districts)
Saturday: 06:00 - 15:00
Petrol stations in Lefkosia and all seaside areas are equipped with petrol vending machines, accepting bank notes and credit cards. Vending machines operate during non-working hours, on weekends and on holidays. Petrol stations in rural areas may be found open on Weekends and on Holidays. A list of petrol stations can be found in the yellow pages of the Telephone Directory.

Parking Facilities
1. Parking places (municipal and private) are found in town centres, charging approximately CY£1.00 for a half day's parking.
2. Parking metres in the centre of towns may be used on payment of 40 cents per hour, on week days, during office hours. Parking metres do not operate on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Parking and waiting is prohibited along a double yellow line.

Along a single yellow line, loading and unloading is allowed but parking is prohibited at all times.

"Mini" Guide To Drivers
Traffic moves on the LEFT hand-side of the road as in the UK, 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 motorways is 100 km/h and the lower speed limit is 65 km/h. On all other roads the general speed limit is 80 km/h, unless a lower one is indicated. In built-up areas generally the speed limit is 50km/h, unless a different one is indicated.

The use of seat-belts is compulsory (front and back)

Children under the age of five MUST NOT, under any circumstances, sit in the front passenger seat.

Children from five to ten years old may occupy the front passenger seat only if an appropriate child's seat belt has been fitted.

Rush hours in the towns are approximately between 07:30-08:00 / 13:00-13:30 and in 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.

Because of the sometimes intense brightness of the clear Mediterranean sky, drivers are advised to wear sunglasses.

Driving With Alcohol Concentration Above the Prescribed Limit
Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle or pedal cycle with alcohol concentration in breath or blood above the prescribed limit, is an offence.

The prescribed limit in breath is 39 microgram's of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The prescribed limit in blood is 90 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.