Cyprus Driving Theory Test cheat sheet

Cyprus drives on the left; at unmarked junctions give way to traffic approaching from your right unless signs or markings say otherwise.

Urban speed limit is 50 km/h unless signed otherwise; motorway limit is 100 km/h for cars and motorcycles, 80 km/h for vehicles towing trailers.

Rural road limit is 80 km/h unless signed; a 30 km/h zone applies near schools and where signed in built-up areas.

Safety distance rule: keep at least a two-second gap in dry conditions and double it to four seconds on wet roads or at night.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers; children under 12 or under 150 cm must use an approved child restraint appropriate to weight and height.

Blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L (22 µg/100 ml breath) for experienced drivers and 0.2 g/L for novice and professional drivers; penalties escalate above these thresholds.

Hand-held mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; only hands-free devices are permitted and must not distract the driver.

At a pedestrian crossing, give way to pedestrians on the crossing or clearly about to step onto it; overtaking a vehicle stopped at a crossing is prohibited.

Emergency vehicles with sirens and flashing lights have priority; reduce speed, move aside safely and never follow directly behind them.

Red-bordered circles are prohibitions or restrictions; blue circles are mandatory instructions; red triangles are warnings.

A red octagon means STOP: come to a complete halt at the line and give way before proceeding, even if the road appears clear.

An inverted red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY: slow down and yield to traffic on the priority road.

A yellow diamond with a white border marks a priority road; a version with a black diagonal bar marks the end of priority.

Solid white centre lines must not be crossed; broken white lines may be crossed when overtaking is safe and permitted.

Double solid white lines on the same side prohibit overtaking and crossing for traffic on that side.

A flashing amber traffic light means proceed only if the way is clear, giving way to pedestrians already on the crossing.

A red traffic light means stop before the stop line; a green light permits movement only if the junction exit is clear.

Yellow zig-zag or box markings near schools and junctions mean no parking or waiting; keep the area clear.

Diesel engines rely on compression ignition; petrol engines use spark ignition - misfuelling causes severe fuel-system damage and the engine must not be started.

Tyre pressure is measured cold; under-inflation raises fuel consumption, increases wear and reduces grip, while over-inflation reduces the contact patch.

The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in Cyprus is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference.

Engine oil lubricates and cools; low oil level or low pressure warning lights require stopping as soon as it is safe.

Coolant level is checked when the engine is cold; opening a hot radiator cap risks severe scalding from pressurised coolant.

The braking system is hydraulic; a spongy pedal or falling fluid level indicates air in the system or a leak requiring immediate attention.

ABS prevents wheel lock-up under heavy braking and preserves steering control; it does not necessarily shorten stopping distance on gravel or snow.

Dipped headlights must be used at night and in poor visibility; main beam must be switched to dipped when meeting oncoming traffic to avoid dazzle.

The periodic technical inspection (MOT equivalent) is required for private cars; the certificate must be valid and produced on request.

Pre-journey checks: tyres and pressures, lights and indicators, brakes, fluids, mirrors, wipers and washer reservoir.

Tyre sidewall markings give size, load index and speed rating; all tyres on an axle should match in size and type.

Brake lights, indicators and hazard lights must all function; a failed lamp is a defect that can fail the inspection.

Emission checks form part of the inspection; excessive smoke or a faulty catalytic converter or DPF will cause failure.

Windscreen damage within the driver's line of sight or large chips elsewhere can fail inspection; cracks impair visibility and structural strength.

Suspension and steering play, worn shock absorbers and uneven tyre wear indicate defects that must be rectified before driving.

A vehicle involved in a collision or with a known dangerous defect must not be driven on the road until repaired.

A learner must hold a valid provisional licence, display L plates and be accompanied by a qualified driver; motorways are off-limits to learners.

Categories: B covers cars up to 3,500 kg; BE covers a trailer; A covers motorcycles with progressive power limits for novice riders.

A driving licence must be carried or produced when requested by police; foreign licences may be exchanged under reciprocal arrangements.

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum; driving without valid insurance is an offence with severe penalties.

The insurance certificate and vehicle registration document must be available for inspection; the MOT certificate must be valid.

Penalty points and disqualification follow serious or repeat offences; novice drivers face stricter thresholds.

Vehicle tax and registration must be current; a vehicle kept off the road must be declared off-road or insured.

Notification duties: change of address, name or vehicle must be reported to the licensing authority within the prescribed period.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, on bends with restricted visibility, at junctions and where a solid line is present.

At roundabouts in Cyprus, traffic already on the roundabout has priority; signal left to exit and give way on entry.

Reverse only when safe; never reverse from a side road onto a main road or on a motorway.

Stopping or parking within 5 metres of a junction, on a crossing, on a bend or where it obstructs sight lines is prohibited.

In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced; switch fog lights off when visibility improves.

Motorway rules: no pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds or slow vehicles; use the hard shoulder only in an emergency and place a warning triangle behind the vehicle.

Loading must be secure and must not obscure lights, plates or the driver's view; overhanging loads must be marked.

Compulsory motor third-party liability insurance covers damage to third parties; own-damage cover requires a comprehensive or fire-and-theft policy.

An insurance policy is void if the driver is unlicensed, disqualified or driving outside the declared use; claims may be refused.

The green card or equivalent proof of insurance may be required when driving abroad; check the policy's territorial scope.

A no-claims bonus is earned by claim-free years and is lost or reduced after an at-fault claim.

Report any collision to police and insurer within the required time; failing to stop after an accident is a criminal offence.

Vehicle registration certificate (logbook) records the registered keeper, not necessarily the owner; keep details updated.

A valid MOT certificate, insurance and road tax are prerequisites for lawful use of a vehicle on public roads.