The UK citizen wanting to drive in Cyprus has an immediate advantage over visitors from other western European countries in that in Cyprus they drive on the left-hand side of the road as at home and road signs are in English as well as Greek.

 

Many other rules of the road are similar to those of the UK, such as it being compulsory for car drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts and for motorcyclists and their passengers to wear helmets. It`s also prohibited to use a mobile phone while driving unless it`s `hands-free`.

 

When driving children, those under five must be in the back and using a child car seat. Children between five and ten can sit in the front if they use a proper child`s seatbelt - and it`s worth remembering too that smoking is not allowed if a child under 16 is in the car.

 

Four-lane motorways interconnect Cyprus` main towns of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa and Paphos and there is a network of well-maintained and good-sized roads for travelling between villages and towns.

 

Minor and forest roads are normally reasonably well looked after but may be un-surfaced and advice is not to worry if a made-up road suddenly peters out into a dirt track as it will usually revert to a proper road within a short distance.

 

Speed limits are posted in kilometres rather than miles per hour. The maximum on a motorway is 100 Kph (about 62 mph) with a minimum speed requirement of 65 KPH (40 mph). The national speed limit is 80 Kph (50 mph) with a maximum in built-up areas of 50 Kph (31 mph) and on country roads of 65 Kph (40mph).

 

UK drivers used to multiple signs should note that a speed restriction sign is generally only displayed on the driver`s side of the road, that there are rarely repeater signs and few de-restriction signs.

 

Fuel is either unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) or diesel and most petrol stations close on Tuesday and Sunday, although many have machines (with English instructions) that accept bank notes and major credit and debit cards and operate when the station is closed.

 

Drivers must have third party insurance and driving licenses from EU countries are valid in Cyprus with the holder eligible to drive so long as they meet age requirements.

 

Drivers must ensure that they have two red triangles in the car to use to warn other road users in the event of breakdown or if involved in an accident and there are strict rules on drink driving with a driver deemed over the limit with a blood/alcohol level equal to or exceeding 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.5 grams per litre).

 

With public transport unavailable in some areas and at certain times, for anyone wanting to travel around in Cyprus a car is virtually a necessity.

 

Most hire companies will rent to drivers between the ages of 25 to 70 years without any problem and to those under 25 who`ve held a full license for three years. With many of the tourists and visitors arriving for their stay in Cyprus at Paphos Airport, visit the "Compare car rentals" website,  who will provide you with a wide range of rental companies and vehicle options.

 

(for Non-UK travellers in Cyprus - the above information may vary slightly)