DRIVING GUIDE

Cyprus left-hand driving first-day checklist for new visitors

A sourced checklist of speed limits, alcohol limits, roundabout rules and seat belt law for a first day of driving in the Republic of Cyprus.

Related location: Republic of Cyprus driving

The single fact that shapes every other rule on this list is that Cyprus drives on the left, one of only a small number of EU countries to do so. That means roundabouts run clockwise, you give way to traffic already on the roundabout, and at unmarked junctions priority generally goes to traffic coming from the right. None of this needs to be memorised perfectly before you leave the pick-up point, but it is worth saying out loud once before you pull away, especially at the first roundabout of the trip.

Before starting the engine, take a moment to adjust the mirrors and seat, locate the indicators and wipers, which sit on the opposite stalks to a right-hand-drive car, and check the fuel level and any visible damage against the handover paperwork. Confirm the return process and emergency contact number are noted somewhere accessible, not just remembered, since a first day in an unfamiliar car is not the moment to be searching for a phone number.

On speed, the official EU road-rules page for Cyprus lists 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on other roads, and 100 km/h on motorways, with a 65 km/h minimum on motorways. These limits apply generally; local signs for a specific stretch of road always take precedence over the default figures. The same official source lists the blood alcohol limit for most drivers at 0.5 mg/ml, with a stricter 0.2 mg/ml limit for novice and professional drivers, so the safest first-day approach is simply not drinking before driving at all.

Seat belts are mandatory for every seat, front and back, and children need an appropriate restraint for their size rather than an adult belt alone. Handheld mobile phone use while driving is not permitted; a hands-free set is required if you need to take a call. UK guidance for visitors also notes that driving standards and road-death risk in Cyprus differ from the UK, and recommends checking current rules through an official source such as the RAC's country guide before your trip, rather than assuming your home country's habits will transfer directly.

Before you leave the pick-up point, read the offer's deposit, excess, fuel policy, mileage allowance, driver-age requirements and cancellation wording, since these vary by supplier and are shown in the booking's own condition snapshot rather than as a site-wide rule. If your first day includes mountain roads, a coastal resort or a city with limited parking, choose the vehicle class and planned return time with that route in mind rather than deciding on vehicle size alone.

This checklist is not legal advice, does not promise a specific safety outcome, and does not describe enforcement in detail beyond the sourced figures above. It remains a draft for the Republic of Cyprus English market until a named human author, a separate human reviewer, and a fresh source check confirm it is ready to publish.

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