Cyprus Transport - Cars and Taxi
The first ever car to be imported and driven in Cyprus was a two-seater red Peugeot on Saturday 8th December 1907, arriving by steamer to Larnaca port. Owned by 29-year-old Cypriot doctor Ioannis Pieris who drove the car for the three-and-a-half hours journey, whilst attracting many onlookers.
The standard of driving in Cyprus is poor, with road signs and traffic signals often ignored, speeding is a big problem. Cyprus has continued to have one of the worst records in Europe for road deaths and injuries, with official statistics showing that for the year 2008 there were a total of 82 road deaths, in 2009 there were 89 road deaths, for 2010 there were 60 road deaths, and for 2011 there were 71 road deaths.
Many foreigners adopt the attitude of ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’; however this exacerbates the problem, and will never solve it. Road deaths on this scale will continue until we all realise that speed, alcohol and negligence kills.
Cyprus signed the European Road Safety Charter, the aim of which was to halve fatal road accidents by 2010. The 6-year Strategic Plan for Road Safety in Cyprus (2005-2010) did have a small effect on reducing road deaths, especially in under 25 year olds.
A new Strategic Plan for the period 2011-2020 has commenced, with the Minister of Communications and Works and Chairman of the Road Safety Council Erato Kozakou Marcoullis declaring 2011 as Year of Road Safety against driving under the influence of alcohol, with the motto “Driving and alcohol do not match: Say no to alcohol”, however it didn't have much effect as road deaths increased by 18% for 2011.
A bill was also drafted in 2011 to regulate bicycle traffic, and has been submitted to the cabinet and to Parliament.
Driving in Cyprus is on the left side of the road. It is compulsory to wear seat belts in Cyprus, even in the rear of the vehicle. Infants must be seated in child seats, and children in booster seats with seat belt. It is also compulsory for motorcyclists to wear crash helmets. It is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, and there are strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The blood/alcohol level limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.5 grams per litre), and the BAC level limit (breath alcohol level) is 22 (or 0.22) microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
There are speed limits on all motorways of minimum 65 Km and maximum 80km or 100Km, with built up areas having a maximum speed limit of 50 Km, except in certain areas such as near schools, where the maximum is 30 Km.
There are numerous care hire companies in Cyprus with some offering online booking. You can also arrange to have your hire car waiting for you at your arrival airport or port, or delivered to your hotel accommodation.
Prices for car hire do vary, so it is best to check out several companies before making your final booking, as shopping around can enable you to find good cheap car hire. Also check on exactly what your insurance covers, be sure that you have Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). UK driving licences are acceptable for car hire in Cyprus, however most car hire companies require the driver to be minimum of 25 years of age. Anyone under that age wishing to hire a car must have held a clean driving licence for at least 3 years. If hiring motorbikes, the minimum age is 20 years, but for buggies and quad bikes the minimum age is 25 years.
The standard and types of hire cars available is generally good. Any vehicles with more than 7 seats must have a taxi license and so you will not be able to hire a vehicle with more than 7 seats with a regular licence. There are also numberous motorbike hire companies in the tourist areas.
Most Cyprus car hire companies charge for a full tank of petrol when you first collect the car, however there is no refund for any unused petrol at the end of the rental period.
If you plan to live in Cyprus, you will need to obtain a Cyprus driving licence after 6 months of residence from your district Department of Road Transport. All privately owned cars must have Cyprus insurance for all drivers, road tax (annual) and MOT certificate (period is currently two years).
Road Tax for the year 2012 is now due, and any car not having 2012 road tax will result in the owner being fined or prosecuted. Reminder notifications are no longer sent to car owners. The easiest way to renew your annual road tax is to go to the Road Traffic Department Website and renew online. Alternatively you can pay at the offices of the Road Transport Department, at Banks and Co-operative Banks, and at Citizens Service Centers. A current MOT certificate is required.
Car owners who have not paid their 2011 road tax and will not renew it for 2012 should present a destruction certificate from a licensed establishment, or file a vehicle immobilisation application with the Road Traffic Department.
Car tax discs, or any other discs / stickers should not be displayed on the car windscreen as this can cause visual obstruction and this practice is now prohibited by law. Police can check thier computerised system to tell whether or not your car has tax and insurance, without having to view your actual tax disc, but from viewing your licence plate number. Read here the official letter from the Cyprus Police relating to displaying tax discs on windscreens.
All vehicles and motorbikes must have number plates. As of 1st October 2010, a new law allows Cyprus police to confiscate any vehicle found with missing or unreadable number plates, whether the vehicle is moving or parked.
There are many petrol station chains all around Cyprus, most are not open 24/7, however the majority now have vending machines for buying petrol, some accept cash notes only, whilst others also accept credit / debit cards. Many of the bigger petrol stations offer car wash facilities, tyre pressure check, oil change etc during opening hours. Petrol stations close for half day on Tuesdays, but many auto pay petrol pumps remain in operation.
There are numerous taxi companies and individual taxi drivers throughout Cyprus. Taxi’s can be booked by phone, waved down on the street, or you will see plenty of available taxi’s at airport and port terminals. It is common for taxi drivers to hoot the horn at just about every pedestrian they pass in the hope of getting a fare. It is compulsory for taxi’s to use a government approved tariff machine and to display their Taxi Driver ID number. If you will be requiring a taxi during major holiday times such Easter or Christmas you must book in advance as very few taxi drivers will be on the streets at these times.
Prices for private taxi’s are not cheap, however there is a cheaper option in shared taxi’s (service taxi’s) or mini buses which are operated by relevant taxi companies. However as this will be dropping other people off at different points, it will take longer than the normal taxi. All main towns are covered, but the operating times are somewhat limited. Private taxi tariff prices increase for late night fares, and for Public Bank Holidays.
It is also possible to hire a stretch limousine or a rolls royce for weddings, special occasions, or just for a drive around.