Car driving in Cyprus:

In the main towns and cities Cyprus has a decent bus service, although regular services are not available in the more remote areas where many places of interest are to be found. Driving yourself is the most popular way to see the island. Either you UK driving licence or an international driving permit is accepted in Cyprus.

Basic rules and Tips:

• Traffic drives on the left hand side of the road
• Front seatbelt use is mandatory
• Using a mobile phone whilst driving is strictly prohibited
• Distances and road speeds are shown in kilometers and kilometers per hour(km/h)
• Speed limits range from 50km/h in towns - up to 100km/h on dual carriageways
• Beware of speed traps, there are a large number of hand-help radar devices in operation
• Municipal parking is available in all town centres. Charges are not expensive, around 40/50 cents
• As a general rule, petrol stations open at 6.00 am Monday - Saturday and close at 7.00 pm except Saturday at 3.00 pm. Most petrol stations are closed on Sundays. Most petrol stations are equipped with easy-to-use petrol vending machines that accept cash and credit cards
• Finally, drink driving laws in Cyprus are as strict as in the UK with 39mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, so be careful!

Car Hire:

There are a vast number of car hire companies on the island. It is worth stressing that the quality of rental cars varies greatly. Check the car over before agreeing to the hire, bad brakes being the most common faults. Rates depend on the time of year and length of hire. Most offer unlimited mileage and are provided with a full tank of petrol which you pay for and then return as empty as possible. Check what insurance is available, in most cases there will be an excess payment in the event of an accident or damage. Some companies offer an insurance waiver for a small additional fee. Rental cars should always carry a red number plate and the registration number should begin with the letter "Z".