Drive Smart Cyprus
 

Guide to Driving In Cyprus - Drive Safe in Cyprus

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Cyprus and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

60-80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 50mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Cyprus on the Left side  
urban
The currency in Cyprus is EUR €
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 17 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Cyprus 1.39 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Cyprus

Drive Smart Cyprus
Driving in Cyprus
Pocket guide to driving in Cyprus
Profile:
Cyprus
Nicosia
EUR €
Driving in Cyprus
SPEED: (kph)
50
60-80
100
Speed limit in Cyprus
Holiday:
Rush hour in Cyprus
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Cyprus
FUEL:
1.39
1.44
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Cyprus
See Fuel Price in Cyprus for full statistics
DRIVE:
LEFT
Drive LEFT in Cyprus
See Which Countries Drive on the LEFT
MIN AGE:
17
21
Min driving age in Cyprus
DRINK:
50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Cyprus
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Cyprus
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Cyprus
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Cyprus
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Cyprus
See here for current child seats law in Cyprus

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Cyprus?

Driving is on the left with overtaking on the right although you shouldn't be surprised to find people driving on the right - usually tourists from European countries. Cypriot drivers can be aggressive, extremely slow or very fast - there is usually no middle ground. It's much better to drive defensively, especially at first.

The country has an excellent and very quiet motorway network that only busies up around the cities; elsewhere you can find nothing else in sight on the road. The government have invested heavily in major infrastructure projects including roads and highways following many years of low investment and maintenance. A new link road from Paphos Airport to the city opened in 2016 providing relief from nearby villages of the airport traffic not using the motorway. Drivers frequently use their horns; if you are slow off the mark at traffic lights or junctions or if there is a wedding procession of cars.

The public transport system is improving so more people are taking advantage of cheap and good quality bus systems but there are no trains. 

Seat BeltsDocumentsDriving AgeSafety Camera DevicesOn the spot finesChild SafetyInsuranceDrinking and DrivingPolice Car

Rules of the road

Towing RegulationsSpeed LimitsSpeed CamerasPhones when drivingTraffic LightsToll Roads
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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112 or 199

Police Fire: 112 or 199

Police Ambulance: 112 or 199

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Nov , 2024

€ 1.44

€ 1.39

Oct , 2024

€ 1.44

€ 1.37

Sep , 2024

€ 1.48

€ 1.45

Aug , 2024

€ 1.54

€ 1.50

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking Regulations
 
Parking is fairly informal in Cyprus and in most towns you'll find cars parked just about anywhere, often double parked. Unless the car is obstructing or parked dangerously, the police won't bother you. 

Paid Parking

There are parking meters in the major towns along with ticket machines for municipal car parks. Parking charges are low so it's often a good idea to use them. You'll almost always find a space. 

Blue Zone

Cyprus is not party to the Blue Zone scheme

Disabled Parking

Cyprus offers spaces for disabled drivers but does not recognise the blue disability badge despite being part of the EU. You'll often find able bodied drivers using the spaces but when you can use them, the parking charges are low anyway.

Parking Enforcement

Unless you park dangerously or are obstructing it's unlikely you'll be bothered. The police enforce parking and the standard fine is fifty euros as of 2014. 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112 or 199

Police Fire: 112 or 199

Police Ambulance: 112 or 199

The emergency services number is 112.

The American Embassy is at Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets in Engomi, 2407 and can be called on 00357 22776400.

What to do in an emergency

You only need to wait for the police if someone has been injured or if there is significant damage. Most bumps are sorted out amicably. If there is an injury or serious damage call 112, put out warning triangles if you have them and wait for the police to arrive. Take photos of the scene and leave vehicles in place where possible. 

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

I have broken down – Eho katanemimenes 
 
Where is the police station? - Poo inay to astinomico dmima?
 
I have a flat tyre – Eho ena skasmeno lastiko
 
I have been in an accident – Eho pie say ena atiheema
 
Where is? - Poo eenay?
 
Where can I buy petrol? - Poo boro na agorazo venzini

Cyprus Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Nov , 2024

€ 1.44

€ 1.39

Oct , 2024

€ 1.44

€ 1.37

Sep , 2024

€ 1.48

€ 1.45

Aug , 2024

€ 1.54

€ 1.50

Jul , 2024

€ 1.57

€ 1.50

Jun , 2024

€ 1.54

€ 1.51

May , 2024

€ 1.73

€ 1.57

Apr , 2024

€ 1.60

€ 1.53

Mar , 2024

€ 1.51

€ 1.40

Feb , 2024

€ 1.47

€ 1.35

Jan , 2024

€ 1.46

€ 1.34

Dec , 2023

€ 1.51

€ 1.38

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Nov , 2024 1.44 1.39
Oct , 2024 1.44 1.37
Sep , 2024 1.48 1.45
Aug , 2024 1.54 1.50
Jul , 2024 1.57 1.50
Jun , 2024 1.54 1.51
May , 2024 1.73 1.57
Apr , 2024 1.60 1.53
Mar , 2024 1.51 1.40
Feb , 2024 1.47 1.35
Jan , 2024 1.46 1.34
Dec , 2023 1.51 1.38

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Cyprus and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Chloe Demaret
Posted by Chloe Demaret
About the Author -

Travel writer, social media guru, Chloe keeps our readers and customers up to speed with all the car rental and travel trends on our blog. Favourite destination: Dubai.

Visitor Comments

  • 10/02/2019

    Rhino Car Hire

    Hi, You need the plastic photo-card, the paper licence is no longer valid.
  • 09/02/2019

    Dee Mason

    Hi, is anybody able to advise if I am able to hire a car in Cyprus with a UK driving licence that is still in paper format. I do not have the photocard version of the UK driving licence.
  • 02/11/2018

    Adam

    Is that mean that there is road fee in Cyprus for tourist?
  • 02/11/2018

    Khaled El-Mahdy

    Can I drive a car in Cyprus with its steering wheel on the left side of the car ?
  • 02/11/2018

    Adrian Boddez

    We are considering a holiday to Cyprus in Feb/March 2018. I am 70 years old. Am I able to rent a car from rhinocarhire? Thanks!