Driving in Cyprus: Rules, Tips and What to Know

Renting a car is the best way to see Cyprus — the island is compact, the roads are good, and the freedom to reach quiet beaches and mountain villages is well worth it. There is just one thing every visitor needs to know first: in Cyprus you drive on the left. Here is everything you need to feel confident behind the wheel.

Driving on the left — the one big adjustment

Cyprus drives on the left, with right-hand-drive cars, a legacy of British rule. If you are used to driving on the right it feels strange for the first hour, then quickly becomes second nature. Two tips make it painless: on an empty road, keep telling yourself “stay left,” and remember that on a right-hand-drive car the indicator and wiper stalks are often reversed — expect to flick the wipers a few times before you adjust.

Speed limits

Distances and speeds are in kilometres. The standard limits are:

• Motorways (A-roads): 100 km/h maximum, 65 km/h minimum
• Open/rural roads: 80 km/h
• Towns and built-up areas: 50 km/h

Speed cameras are common and fines start around €25 and climb steeply. Watch your speed through villages, where the limit drops without much warning.

Drink-driving — the limit is low

Cyprus enforces its drink-drive laws strictly. The limit for experienced drivers is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath (roughly a 0.05% blood-alcohol level), and far lower — 9 micrograms — for anyone with less than three years’ experience. In practice the safest rule is simple: if you are driving, don’t drink at all.

Seatbelts, phones and children

Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and every passenger, front and back. Using a hand-held phone at the wheel is banned (hands-free is fine) and carries a €150 fine plus penalty points. Children under five must travel in an appropriate child seat — if you are renting, book the seat in advance. Other fines worth avoiding: running a red light (€300), no seatbelt (€150) and parking in a disabled bay (€300).

Roundabouts and junctions

Traffic on roundabouts flows clockwise, and you give way to the right — to vehicles already on the roundabout coming from your right. This is the moment newcomers most often slip up, so approach roundabouts slowly and look right first. At junctions, take an extra second to confirm you are pulling out onto the correct (left) side of the road.

Parking

A single yellow line means restricted or timed parking; a double yellow line means no parking at any time. Towns have paid car parks and metered street bays that are cheap by European standards. Never leave a car in a disabled bay without a permit — it is enforced with a €300 fine.

Fuel

Petrol stations are plentiful along main roads and in towns. Many are staffed by day but switch to automated card-and-cash machines in the evenings and on Sundays, so keep some fuel in the tank if you are heading into the mountains or the Akamas late in the day.

Licences: do you need an International Driving Permit?

EU, UK and most national driving licences are accepted for tourist visits. If your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet, carry an International Driving Permit alongside it. Rental companies require you to have held your licence for at least one to three years and set a minimum age (usually 21–25); check the terms when you book.

Renting a car

Hire cars are inexpensive in Cyprus and give you the whole island — from Nissi Beach to the Troodos wine villages — on your own schedule. Compare rates, insurance and pick-up points on our getting around Cyprus guide before you book.

In an emergency

The all-purpose emergency number in Cyprus is 112 (police, ambulance and fire). Keep your rental company’s roadside-assistance number saved too. If you have a minor bump, exchange details and photograph the scene; for anything involving injury, call 112.