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 unsurfaced but in good to fair condition. Appropriate care should be taken when using these roads, especially during wet weather.
Visitors wishing to bring their car 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.
"Mini" guide to drivers
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 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.
• Drive on the left in Cyprus (as in the UK, unlike the rest of western Europe)
• Front seat belts for driver and passenger are compulsory
• It is obligatory for all children under the age of five to sit in the back, strapped into a proper child car seat. Children from five to ten years of age may occupy the front passenger seat provided a child's seat belt has been fitted.
• Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited
• Motorcyclists must wear a helmet
• Road signs are in English and Greek
• Distances are marked in kilometres
• Road speeds are marked in kilometres-per hour (km/h)
• All roads on the entire island are toll free
• Third party liability insurance is obligatory
• Emergency assistance call 112

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.

If you don't wish to drive yourself, communal "service taxis" are another option. They provide connections between all major towns every half hour. Regular taxis are reasonably priced and are especially good options for airport transfers on the first and or last day of your trip.
When driving in Cyprus you must assume full responsibility for your own safety. Remember that some drivers may not be capable and competent.

You must take into account the fact that Cyprus has very many tourists. It is their nature to be relaxed, often looking around at the scenery, or maybe even lost. They are also likely to be driving vehicles that they are unfamiliar with. They may not be concentrating fully on their driving and as a result may well make driving decisions and act in a way that they would not contemplate when driving at home.

Many Cypriot drivers have been brought up in a totally different driving environment than many Europeans. Their training and knowledge was adequate at one time for the environment that they had to operate in. Unfortunately the training has remained static while the remainder of Cyprus progresses. You should expect that some of the decisions some drivers make can seem to you unreasoned and irrational.

The inconsistent way the road network has been expanded does not help matters.

We will identify some common faults and advise you what you might do if confronted by them.

Driving licence
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.

Traffic lights and junctions

Cyprus traffic light sequencing and rules will be familiar to most people. However, many local drivers will drive over the white line and well into the junction before stopping. They may not stop at all. Failing to comply with the red light is a common occurrence.

Do not assume that if your light is green it is safe to go. Always treat traffic light controlled junctions with extreme caution.

An inability of drivers to accurately judge the speed of approaching vehicles and poor judgement, often manifests itself by vehicles pulling out in front of you from side roads and parking areas at inappropriate times.

Dealing with a tailgater:

You must try to remain objective and create space by dropping even further back from the vehicle in front of you. This will allow you even more time and space to react should the need arise.

Your vehicle should be in the safest position on the road having regard to all the hazards that you can see, to those you can't see and those that may reasonably be expected to be there. If possible you should dominate the road so that an overtaker has to make conscious and serious effort to overtake you. Then, if appropriate and when a suitable opportunity arises, allow the vehicle behind to pass you. By using good judgement you could save lives and keep in control of the space around you.

OUR TOP 12 SAFETY TIPS

SEATBELTS

It is proven that wearing seat belts save lives and reduces the risk of serious injury. It will soon be law to wear a belt in both the front and back, so get into the habit now. As the driver, insist that your passengers 'buckle up'.

SPACE

Build a space cushion of safety all around your vehicle, to the front, rear and sides, by constantly adjusting your speed and position to maximise the distance between yourself and other vehicles. Dominate your own road position so tailgaters must pass you safely or not at all.

SPEED

Drive observing the maximum and minimum speed limits set by law, and drive at a speed in which you are able to stop safely, on your own side of the road and in the distance you can see to be clear.

OVERTAKING

Do not overtake:
at or approaching a junction,
on the left, unless the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and you can overtake on the left safely,
on, or anywhere near a pedestrian crossing.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

As you approach a pedestrian crossing, slow down and be prepared to stop to allow pedestrians to cross. Scan both sides of the crossing as you approach. DO NOT wave pedestrians across, as this could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching. It is illegal to park on the zigzag lines either side of the crossing

VISION

Look ahead and scan with your eyes to get the full picture, not fixing your vision on anything for more than two seconds. Constantly check your mirrors and also your blind spots when moving off and changing lanes.

STEERING

Keep both hands on the wheel at either the quarter-to-three or ten-to-two position, unless it is necessary to operate a control or to give a hand signal. Use the 'pull-push' method where you can make changes in direction smoothly. Always keep at least one hand on the wheel. Do not use a mobile phone while driving.

STOP SIGNS

Stop completely at 'stop' signs, pausing to scan the junction with your eyes. If stopping behind another vehicle you must stop again at the white line.

REVERSING

Follow the safety rules for reversing:
Avoid reversing if possible. Parking in a position which doesn't require you to reverse.
Scan as you reverse.
Move slowly.
Travel only a sufficient distance to enable you to move forward.
If your vision is obscured, ask someone to assist you.

COMBAT FATIGUE

Remain alert and combat fatigue by making sure you are not tired before you start your journey. Take frequent rest breaks. Get out of the car and walk around before continuing. Share the driving if other drivers are available and legal. Do not continue beyond your safety limit.

SUFFICIENT JOURNEY TIME

Leave sufficient time for your journey allowing for traffic and weather conditions. Leaving late tends to result in excessive speed, fines and accidents.

VEHICLE CHECKS

Before you start to drive you should ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy. Know, and put into practise your cockpit and 'P.O.W.E.R.' checks.

Petrol
Motor fuel and unleaded petrol 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.

Petrol Stations are 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 ONE 20-cents COIN 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.