What Are The Most Important Driving Rules In Cyprus?

Known as ‘the island of Aphrodite’, Cyprus is a romantic Mediterranean island with lush forests, pristine coastline, and fertile olive groves. The country, offering 3,500 square miles of diverse natural beauty, can easily be explored with a vehicle. Therefore, make sure to pick up a car hire in Cyprus to be able to see everything this beautiful island has to offer. When travelling to Cyprus, you will want to have a trusted rental partner, offering low prices, an extensive selection of rental cars and excellent customer service. Z&X Cyprus Car Rental fulfills all of these needs! Wherever you land on this mythical island, Z&X Car Hire  have a vehicle waiting for you. Let us arrange your rental in Cyprus, tailored to your travel needs. Use our easy three-step booking engine or call our reservations specialists. It would be our pleasure to turn your holiday in Cyprus into an adventure to remember!

When driving your Cyprus Car Rental, you will find that the main roads are well kept. However, once off the beaten track, be prepared for more challenging road conditions, with roads being uneven and unpaved. Given such conditions, you may wish to consider an SUV for your travels. Drivers in Cyprus can be careless and reckless, so drive with caution and courtesy. For more information and road rules in Cyprus please check out our driving guide page.

A few rules of the road to consider when driving in Cyprus:

• As in the UK, drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Seat belts must be worn when driving.
• Children under the age of five may not sit in the front seat, and children aged five and over may only sit in the front if in an appropriate child restraint seat.
• Mobile phone use is restricted to hands-free systems only.
• Always carry your driving licence, insurance and car rental documents with you when driving.
• Headlights must be used at dusk and dawn.
• You may not smoke in a car carrying a passenger aged 16 or younger.
• Car horn use is restricted – do not beep between 10pm and 6am, and never beep near a hospital.
• Be extra careful when entering narrow streets in little towns, like Lefkara, for example, and make sure you don’t scratch your side mirrors. You can, however, get yourself an insurance policy for extra peace of mind, in case something happens.
• If you are driving to the northern part of the island, you will need to purchase the additional insurance at the Turkish border crossing.
• There are no motorways in northern Cyprus and, in general, the roads are in a state of disrepair.
• Petrol stations on Cyprus are easily found in the major cities and are available even in some remote locations. Prices are relatively cheaper than what you might pay in the UK. The hours vary, but generally you will find them open between 6am to 6pm. Some petrol stations offer automated petrol pumps that will accept cash or credit cards. Unfortunately, there aren’t many 24 hour petrol stations.

• See the flamingos – a real feast for nature lovers. The flamingos are known to fly over to Cyprus for winter. Flocks of flamingos gather by the Salt Lake near Larnaca between November and March. Another place to spot flamingos is by Limassol Salt Lake, also known as Akrotiri Lake. Should you be visiting the island during winter, do not miss the opportunity to see these pink-legged beauties.
• Wine Festival – the annual Wine Festival takes place in Limassol, known as the wine capital of Cyprus. For a small entrance fee, you can sample wine from local wineries, try traditional Cypriot cuisine and enjoy performances of various local artists. The festival is held in Limassol’s city park at the turn of August and September.
• Scuba diving – if you feel the need for more action during your Cyprus holiday, consider snorkelling or diving. Explore Cyprus from a different perspective – see the fascinating underwater world with shipwrecks and colourful clusters of fish. The warm, clean and calm waters surrounding the island are a real paradise for both snorkellers and professionals. Diving schools can be found in almost every tourist city or town.
• Beaches – if you are flying to this sunny Mediterranean island, you will no doubt spend some time sunbathing and swimming in the sea. Cyprus boasts over thirty blue flag beaches, ranging from golden sandy ones to those less frequented on the west side of the island, preferred by water sports enthusiasts.

With much to see and do on this fascinating island, our rent a car in Cyprus will allow you to visit all attractions, whenever you feel like it. There are several official cultural routes in Cyprus, some to be walked on foot and some that require a rental car. Thanks to these routes you can discover the history of the island, follow the footsteps of Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, visit the remnants of the Venetians and learn the exciting history of Cyprus. Apart from cultural routes, there are also wine and religious trails that may strike your fancy. To find out more about a specific route, visit the official Cyprus tourist website, listed at the bottom of this page.

Unesco highlights road trip – steeped in history, the island of Cyprus is home to several Unesco World Heritage Sites. You may begin your road trip in Paphos, famous for numerous historic sites including the must-see Paphos Mosaics. Take your time exploring this spectacular seaside town, making sure to stop by the Tombs of the Kings before you leave for your next adventure. Subsequently, head to Choirokitia in Larnaca district to gain a glimpse of the island’s first permanent housing which dates back to the 6th century BC. From here, you can drive to Larnaca, the city said to be the oldest on the island, and take a leisurely cruise down the coastline. Complete your history trip with a visit to the Trodos’ painted churches and see their colourful frescoes.

A driver in Cyprus must be at least 18 years old and have held his or her licence for at least one year in the country where he or she resides. A UK driver’s licence is acceptable for short stays in Cyprus. To hire a car in Cyprus, a driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid licence for at least three years. Drivers under 25 may incur an extra surcharge, depending on the chosen vehicle. Although there is no upper age limit for car rental in Cyprus, drivers over 70 years of age may be charged an extra fee.

Cyprus has no toll roads; all motorways are free and so are all major roads.

Via Auto Europe