Speeding and drink driving are the two offences Cyprus police check most, and both carry fines and penalty points. This guide gives you the limits by road type and by driver, and what happens if you go over them.
Last checked: 17 October 2026, against the Road Safety Law, the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Law and the EU's Your Europe page for Cyprus. Signs on the road always take priority over the general limits below.
Speed limits in Cyprus
Unless a sign shows a different limit, these are the limits for cars, vans up to 3.5 tonnes and motorcycles:
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian zones | 30 km/h |
| Built-up areas (towns and villages) | 50 km/h |
| Outside built-up areas | 80 km/h |
| Motorways | 100 km/h |
Lorries over 3.5 tonnes: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 64 km/h outside them and 80 km/h on motorways. Buses and cars towing a light trailer follow the car limits.
Many roads have their own posted limits, higher or lower than these. Watch the signs, especially where the limit changes. You can learn every speed and restriction sign in the road signs library.
Is there a minimum speed on motorways?
Police guidance for drivers says the minimum speed on Cyprus motorways is 65 km/h. The law itself bans vehicles that cannot keep up 65 km/h on a level road from using motorways. A sign can also set a minimum speed on a particular road, and going below it is an offence.
In practice: keep up with the traffic in the left lane, overtake on the right, and move back left when it is safe.
Speeding fines and points
| How far over the limit | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30% | €2 per km/h over | 1 |
| 31 to 50% | €3 per km/h over | 2 |
| 51 to 75% | €5 per km/h over | 3 |
| More than 75% | Court | 4 to 8 |
Example: 100 km/h in an 80 zone is 20 km/h over (25%), so the fine is 20 x €2 = €40 and 1 point.
In court, speeding can mean up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to €4,000. Speeding while drunk or under drugs is much more serious: up to 4 years in prison or €15,000.
Our guide to traffic fines and penalty points covers cameras, deadlines and how to pay.
Alcohol limits in Cyprus
| Driver | Breath | Blood |
|---|---|---|
| Most drivers | 22 μg per 100 ml | 50 mg per 100 ml (0.5 g/l) |
| Lower limit (see list below) | 9 μg per 100 ml | 20 mg per 100 ml (0.2 g/l) |
The lower limit applies to:
- learner drivers,
- new drivers, for three years after their first licence,
- motorcyclists and moped riders, of any experience,
- lorry and bus drivers,
- taxi drivers on duty,
- drivers carrying dangerous goods,
- anyone disqualified by a court, for three years after the disqualification.
At 9 μg, even a single drink can take you over. If you are a learner or a new driver, the safe rule is not to drink at all before you drive.
Drink-driving fines and penalties
If you are over the limit but not far over, the police can offer an out-of-court fine:
| Breath reading, most drivers | Breath reading, lower-limit drivers | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 22, under 36 μg | Over 9, under 23 μg | €125 | 1 |
| 36 to 55 μg | 23 to 35 μg | €250 | 3 |
| 56 to 70 μg | 36 to 55 μg | €500 | 4 |
| Over 70 μg | Over 55 μg | Court | — |
In court, the highest tier can mean up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to €10,000 or a ban of up to 2 years. Lower tiers can still bring a ban of up to 3 months.
Refusing a breath test is an offence in itself: up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to €10,000 or a 2-year ban, plus 5 penalty points.
Drugs and driving
Police can ask for a saliva test at the roadside, including at random checks. A positive result is followed by a second sample for the lab. Driving under drugs, or refusing the test, can mean up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to €8,000 or a 3-year ban, plus 5 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. Speed limit signs, end-of-limit signs and minimum speed signs are common. Practise them with the road signs test, and check your knowledge of the rules with the rules test. On the practical test, the examiner watches whether you keep to the limit and adapt your speed to the road.
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed limit in Cyprus?
50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside them and 100 km/h on motorways, unless a sign shows a different limit. Pedestrian zones are 30 km/h.
What is the minimum speed on Cyprus motorways?
Police guidance gives 65 km/h. Vehicles that cannot keep up 65 km/h on a level road are not allowed on motorways at all.
What is the drink-drive limit in Cyprus?
22 μg of alcohol per 100 ml of breath (50 mg per 100 ml of blood) for most drivers. Learners, drivers in their first three years, motorcyclists and professional drivers have a lower limit of 9 μg (20 mg).
Can a new driver drink any alcohol before driving in Cyprus?
The limit for new drivers is so low that one drink can be enough to go over it. The safest choice is not to drink at all before driving.
What happens if I refuse a breath test in Cyprus?
It is an offence that goes to court. You can face up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to €10,000 or a ban of up to 2 years, plus 5 penalty points.
How much is a speeding fine in Cyprus?
It depends on how far over the limit you are: €2, €3 or €5 for each km/h over, with 1 to 3 points. More than 75% over the limit goes to court.