Driving In Cyprus

The last railway system in Cyprus was dismantled in 1950, thus the road network is of great importance to the island. The South has a total area of approx. 11,000 Km of highways, of which 7,000 Km is paved. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road.

The improvement and upgrading of the road network is of crucial importance, since the uniqueness of the Cyprus tourist experience lies in the ability for travelers to explore with ease and safety throughout the island. The upgrading of pavements and streets is also of high priority, as is the completion and expansion of the pedestrian paths and cycling tracks network, especially in tourist areas.

List of main motorways

A1 (Nicosia-Limassol)
A2 (A1-Larnaca)-merges with A1 near Pera Chorio
A3 (Larnaca-Agia Napa-Paralimni)
A5 (A1-Larnaca)-merges with A1 near Kofinou
A6 (Pafos-Limassol)
A9 (Nicosia-Astromeritis) - partially under construction

A good public transport system comprises various bus companies offering efficient and regular bus routes linking all main towns and small villages. For information on timetables, contact the following:

Lefkosia: Plateia Solomou, Tel: (02) 473414
Lemesos: A. Themistocleous, 7 Tel: (05) 370592, (05) 355273
Larnaka: Gonia Karaoli & Dimitriou, 36A Tel: (04) 650477
Pafos: Karavella Bus Station, Tel: (06) 234410
Paralimni: Agiou Georgiou, 13 Tel: (03) 821318
Agia Napa: Leoforos Makariou, III 32A Tel: (03) 721321

Reflecting former British presence, traffic in Cyprus circulates in true British fashion on the left hand side, making the adjustment upon arrival very easy for British people. Traffic signs are international as is the good road network, with high standard dual carriageways between major towns.

Be aware that Cyprus enjoys year-round tourism, so you may find slow moving traffic and lost tourists driving in a decidedly unpredictable fashion!

The Cyprus Driving License and Test - If you drive a car and are thinking of purchasing a property in Cyprus, it is advisable to obtain a Cypriot Driving License which is valid for life. To obtain a Cypriot license you will need to:

Pass the Cypriot driving test for the category of vehicle you intend to drive or surrender your existing domestic license at The Department of Transport, Mesogi Industrial Estate (off the Paphos to Polis road).

The driving test is a simple, short theory test of about five or six questions on the Highway Code. The practical test takes about 35 minutes and you will be notified of success or failure immediately after taking the test.

The cost of the Cypriot licence is C£ 35 (under 60 years of age) or C£ 15 (60 to 65 years of age).

Importing your Car -

You can import your car into Cyprus without paying duty or tax if:

you are the owner of the car or you have the written permission to import on the owner´s behalf
your usual residence is in a country outside the European Union
you are importing the car for your private use only
you intend to use it in Cyprus for no more than six months per year*

You will need to fill in a form C.104, at Customs.

For more information, you can contact the Department of Customs and Excise in Nicosia. Email: headquarters@customs.mof.gov.cy, fax no. 22 302031

For phone enquiries contact the Temporary Importations Section at Customs Headquarters on tel: 22 601753 or 22 601748.

you are permitted to keep the car in Cyprus for longer than six months if: you are a student, you are on a fixed duration contract of work or you have become a resident of Cyprus and will apply for relief on your vehicle.

Parking and Fines - Parking places can be found in all town centres at approx. 50 cents per half day's parking. Municipal car parks can often charge around 20 cents per hour.

Parking meters are also in operation in towns and take one 20-cent coin per hour. They charge on weekdays during office hours but not on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays.

Double yellow lines: are areas where parking is prohibited.
Single yellow line: permits loading and unloading but parking is prohibited at all times

These yellow road markings are often accompanied by signs indicating the hours when the restrictions are in force.

If you are unlucky enough to get a fixed penalty ticket, you must pay the fine within 15 days. If not, a 50% surcharge is added and after 30 days from the issue date, payment will is not accepted and legal action will follow

Be aware that if you park on the zig zags of a pedestrian crossing you could get fined C£ 15. Parking facing the flow of traffic on the right hand side of the road or in a restricted area carries a similar penalty.

Traffic Accidents - If you are involved in an accident, phone the police immediately on emergency telephone number 112.

It is important to leave your car in the position it was when it had the accident until the police arrive. If you do not, you may lose the right to claim on your insurance and, as importantly, you may be deemed to be at fault even if you are not.