In Cyprus everyone in the car must wear a seat belt, children need a child seat until they are tall enough for an adult belt, and the driver may use a phone only hands-free. This guide sets out the rules from the Road Safety Law, what they mean for parents, visitors and taxi passengers, and what breaking them costs.
Last checked: 19 October 2026, against the Road Safety Law (Part III, seat belts) on CyLaw, the penalty points table of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Law, the Road Transport Department's Highway Code and the Cyprus Police road safety leaflet for visitors.
Who must wear a seat belt in Cyprus?
Everyone, in the front and in the back. The law says every occupant of a car, van or lorry must use the seat belts fitted to it.
- Adults are responsible for wearing their own belt.
- The driver is responsible for every child under 16 in the car.
- No belt costs €150 and 3 penalty points. If you are caught again within three years, the fine doubles.
Medical exemption. If a doctor certifies that you cannot wear a belt for serious health reasons, the Road Transport Department can issue an exemption certificate. A medical exemption issued in another EU country is accepted. Carry it and show it to the police when asked.
Child car seat rules by height
The law counts anyone under 16 as a child and sets the rules by height:
| Child's height | Front seat | Back seat |
|---|---|---|
| Under 135 cm | Child seat suited to their weight | Child seat suited to their weight |
| 135 to 149 cm | Child seat, for example a booster | Adult seat belt is allowed |
| 150 cm and taller | Adult seat belt | Adult seat belt |
The back-seat rule for 135 cm and over applies in cars with seat belts on every seat, which is almost every modern car. A booster seat is still the safer choice for a child who is under 150 cm.
Which child seat is legal?
- Approval label. The seat must carry a UN R44/03 or R129 (i-Size) approval label.
- Weight groups. R44 seats are sold by weight group:
| Group | Child's weight |
|---|---|
| 0 | Under 10 kg |
| 0+ | Under 13 kg |
| I | 9 to 18 kg |
| II | 15 to 25 kg |
| III | 22 to 36 kg |
- i-Size seats (R129) are sold by the child's height instead. Follow the range printed on the seat.
- Fitting. Install the seat exactly as the manufacturer's instructions say, including which cars it fits.
Can a child sit in the front seat?
Yes, the law allows it, as long as the child uses the right seat or belt for their height. The police advise seating children in the back whenever you can.
Rear-facing seats and airbags. Never put a rear-facing child seat in a seat protected by an active front airbag. Switch the passenger airbag off first, unless the car switches it off automatically.
Taxis, buses and hire cars
- Taxis. A child under 150 cm can sit in any seat if a child seat is used. If there is no child seat, the child must sit in the back and wear the seat belt.
- Buses and coaches. Everyone aged three and over must use the seat belt where one is fitted. Children may not sit in the front seat. On school trips and organised group transport, children under six need a child seat brought by their parent.
- Hire cars. Rental companies offer child seats as an extra. Book one with the car, and check that it fits your child's height and weight.
What happens if a child is not in a child seat?
- Out-of-court fine. €150 and 3 penalty points for the driver.
- In court. A driver who lets a child travel without the right seat or belt can be fined up to €1,700 or jailed for up to six months, or both. The court can also ban them from driving for up to three months.
Mobile phones while driving
Hand-held phones are banned. The Highway Code says you must keep your hands free at all times so you can fully control the car. You may use a phone only through a hands-free device.
- Phone in your hand: €150 and 2 penalty points.
- Again within three years: €300 and 4 points.
- Other things in your hand while driving, such as food, are a separate offence with 1 penalty point.
- Cameras can record a phone in your hand or a missing seat belt, and the fine is posted to the car's owner.
Even hands-free calls and touchscreens take your attention off the road. If you need to make a call or set the sat nav, stop somewhere safe first.
For every other fine and how the points system works, see our guide to traffic fines and penalty points.
How this comes up in your test
The theory exam is oral: the examiner shows you road signs and you say what they mean. You still need the seat belt and phone rules as a driver, and on the practical test the examiner checks that you fasten your seat belt before you move off.
Check what you know about seat belts, child seats, phones and other rules with the free rules test, and practise the signs with the road signs test. For roundabouts, priority and driving on the left, read our guide to driving in Cyprus.
Frequently asked questions
At what height can a child use a normal seat belt in Cyprus?
At 150 cm, in any seat. From 135 cm, a child may use the adult seat belt in the back seat of a car with belts on every seat.
Can a child sit in the front seat in Cyprus?
Yes, if they use the right child seat or belt for their height. A rear-facing seat must never face an active airbag. The police advise seating children in the back when you can.
What is the fine for not wearing a seat belt in Cyprus?
€150 and 3 penalty points. The same applies when a child travels without a suitable child seat.
Do back-seat passengers have to wear seat belts in Cyprus?
Yes. Seat belts are compulsory in the front and the back, and the driver is responsible for passengers under 16.
Can I use my phone hands-free while driving in Cyprus?
Yes, only through a hands-free device. Holding a phone while driving costs €150 and 2 penalty points, or €300 and 4 points if you do it again within three years.
Do children need a car seat in a taxi in Cyprus?
A child under 150 cm can sit in any seat of a taxi with a child seat. Without one, the child must sit in the back and wear the seat belt.