Driving in Cyprus

But if you’re planning a road trip to Cyprus, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there has many differences to the UK. 

To make your journey to the Mediterranean island as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Cyprus section.

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic, Comprehensive or Single Trip) provides a wide range of benefits should you break down in The Republic of Cyprus to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

Need short-term cover for your vehicle? Our temporary car insurance is perfect if you're looking for flexible insurance for between 1 hour and 30 days.

• A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
• Your motor insurance certificate
• The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental

• A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
• Your motor insurance certificate
• The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in the Republic of Cyprus?

Since 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad has changed from GB to UK.  

This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Cyprus.   

In Cyprus, the sticker must be visible no matter what is on your number plate.

Do I need an insurance green card?

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to the Cyprus.

ETIAS – 2025

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and a few other European countries.

Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

This will be launching in 2025. Learn more about ETIAS here.

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Cyprus.

Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher 
• A first-aid kit
• A reflective jacket

You can pick up all the car kit you need from RAC Shop.

Is there anything that I shouldn’t take with me?

Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into Cyprus:

• meat or products containing meat
• milk or dairy products

You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:

• fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
• vegetables
• plants
• plant products

When driving in Cyprus there are rules that you must be aware of:

• Use dipped headlights during the daytime all year round and on all roads
• Make sure everyone in the car wears a seat belt at all times
• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle or moped
• Use headlights between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise
• Ensure your car is covered by third-party insurance recognised in Cyprus. This is the legal minimum cover for visitors, so check with your provider before you travel
• In Cyprus, you drive on the left and overtake on the right, as you do in the UK, so it should make the experience easier for UK-based drivers
• Horns should only be used in emergency situations when an audible warning is required to prevent an accident. It’s prohibited to use your horn between 2200 and 0600 and near hospitals
• If you're caught committing a minor driving offence while travelling through Cyprus, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of up to €85
• Seat belts must be worn in all seats where a belt is available
• Children under 12 years of age and less than 150cm in height must use an appropriate restraint or child seat. Children under five years of age are not allowed in the front passenger seat 
• The drink-drive limit for all drivers is 0.05%. Random tests can be carried out regardless of whether grounds for suspicion

Speed limits vary depending on the type and location of the road. In built-up areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h and on country roads it’s 65 km/h. On national roads, the speed limit is 80 km/h and on motorways the minimum is 65 km/h and the maximum is 100 km/h.

Radar detectors are prohibited and if they are part of your vehicle’s satellite navigation system they must be deactivated.

• Cyprus has only a handful of motorways connecting the island's main urban areas. No tolls are imposed on these routes
• Cyprus is divided by the Green Line, which separates the island into southern and northern areas. The northern area, called the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ is not recognised by the UK government.
• It’s possible to travel between the two areas at several locations, although the main crossing point is located at Agios Dometios, in the island’s capital, Nicosia. Many local hire companies will not insure travel into the northern area, although you may be able to buy travel insurance at the crossing point. 
• Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available throughout Cyprus, although LPG is not available. Some petrol stations have automatic pumps that accept international credit cards, although in more rural areas you are likely to need cash

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Breaking down in Cyprus

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs in The Republic of Cyprus. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Cyprus.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 21, although this may depend on the type of vehicle
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Some car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of at least 3 years
• Some companies require you to use a credit card for deposit
• You may not be able to drive outside of Cyprus unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• Cypriots drive on the left, the same side as in the UK
• Cypriot speed limits vary depending on the type and location of the road. In built-up areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h and on country roads it’s 65 km/h. On national roads, the speed limit is 80 km/h and on motorways the minimum is 65 km/h and the maximum is 100 km/h.
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05%. That's lower than the 0.08% in England Wales and Northern Ireland, but the same as Scotland.

Fuel

Fuel prices in Cyprus can be found in our up-to-date European fuel prices page.

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice