Driving in North Cyprus: The Rules and the Roads in Numbers
Keep left: that is rule one in North Cyprus, and roundabouts belong to whoever comes from your right. Speed limits sit at 100 km/h for dual carriageways, 50 in town and 65 elsewhere, and a posted sign beats all three. Visitors can normally drive on a UK, EU or Turkish licence, and hire cars wear red plates.
Everything you need before you take the wheel here fits into a handful of numbers. We are KARTAL, a tavla and PlayStation café in Famagusta, and anyone who plays tavla is happy counting. If you and your friends are hiring a car for Karpaz, Kyrenia or Salamis, this page covers it. One rule sits above all the others: what the sign says goes.
1 side of the road: the left
Traffic keeps left and the steering wheel is on the right. Coming from Türkiye or mainland Europe, the first half hour feels odd. The slip-ups happen at three moments: pulling out of a junction, leaving a car park, and on an empty road where nothing reminds you. Ask your passenger to call out “left” now and then. Nobody minds.
Roundabouts: the car on your right goes first
Roundabouts work the British way. Let anything approaching from your right go first, then go round clockwise. Indicate, take your time, and if you miss your exit, simply go round again.
50, 65 and 100: the three speed limits
- 50 km/h: built-up areas and town streets.
- 65 km/h: any other open road.
- 100 km/h: the dual carriageways.
Those are the general limits; a posted sign overrides them. Speed cameras are common. We are not printing fine amounts because they change. Staying under the limit is always the cheaper option.
0: the only safe alcohol number
Do not play with the legal limit. If you are driving, do not drink at all; that is the safest advice there is. Pick a driver for the night and let the rest of the group relax. Seat belts are compulsory. No phone in your hand; if you need directions, put it in a holder.
21 to 25: the rental age
Most rental firms want you to be at least 21, and some say 25. A young-driver surcharge is common. The exact figure varies by company, so ask before you sign.
Licences are easy. A UK, EU or Turkish licence works for a short stay, and so do most others. If yours is not written in Latin letters, an International Driving Permit makes life simpler.
Red plates mean rental
Hire cars carry red number plates with a Z, known locally as “kiralık” plates. When you see one on the road, the driver may be just as new to the left as you are. Leave a gap.
2 main roads: out of Nicosia to Kyrenia and Famagusta
The two roads you will use most are dual carriageways: North Nicosia to Kyrenia (Lefkoşa–Girne) and North Nicosia to Famagusta (Lefkoşa–Gazimağusa). Kyrenia is about 25 km from North Nicosia. The roads up into the Kyrenia range are another story: winding and narrow in places. Heading to St Hilarion or Buffavento, drive slowly and never overtake on a bend. The castles up there are in our Kyrenia guide.
50 km: Ercan Airport to Famagusta
From Ercan to Famagusta is roughly 50 km, around 40 to 50 minutes by car. Ercan to Kyrenia takes about 40 minutes. If you collect a car at arrivals, that wide road is a good place to get used to the left. Shuttle and taxi options are in our airport guide.
1.5 to 2 hours: Famagusta to Karpaz
Karpaz is the long finger of land pointing north-east. Allow 1.5–2 hours behind the wheel to get there. At the far end you get Golden Beach, the wild donkeys of the national park and, at the very tip, Apostolos Andreas Monastery. Fill the tank before you set off. At most stations an attendant pumps the fuel for you; stay in the car and say how much you want. The beaches themselves are in our beach guide.
9 crossings: taking a hire car south
There are nine crossing points on the island. Ledra Street and Ledra Palace in Nicosia are for pedestrians only; the other seven take cars. The nearest to Famagusta is Deryneia (Derinya). Northern hire cars, as a rule, stay in the north. A southern rental can cross north when its contract says so. Its insurance stops at the line, so you buy northern third-party cover at the booth by the crossing. Details are in our border guide.
112 and 155: save them now
112 for an ambulance, 155 for the police. Put both in your phone before you leave. In a hire car, copy the company’s emergency line from the contract into your contacts too. With luck you will never use any of them.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of the road do they drive on in North Cyprus?
The left. The steering wheel is on the right, and at roundabouts you give way to traffic from your right, as in the UK.
Can I drive in North Cyprus on my UK or EU licence?
Yes, for a short visit. UK, EU, Turkish and most other licences are accepted. An International Driving Permit helps if your licence is not in Latin script.
Are there speed cameras in North Cyprus?
Yes, and they are common. The general limits are 50 km/h in towns, 65 on open roads and 100 on dual carriageways, unless a sign says otherwise.
Can I take a car hired in the north across to the south?
Generally not. Northern rental cars usually may not cross. A car hired in the south may come north if its contract allows, with northern insurance bought at the crossing.
Do I fill up the car myself?
Usually not. At most stations an attendant fills the tank; tell them how much you want.