Traffic Offences and Penalties
Understand what qualifies as a traffic offence in Cyprus, and what consequences you might expect...
The Cypriot Government
increased fines and penalties on traffic offences in September 2020 after a
rise in the number of road fatalities. New penalties were introduced for
speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a crash helmet or seat belt, and using
your phone at the wheel.
If a traffic offence is
committed, a fixed penalty and a ticket will be issued. The police officer uses
a hand-held centrally controlled computer system for issuing tickets on the
spot. Fine are not paid at the roadside. They can be paid in person at a police
station or online via the JCC
payment system.
If the ticket is not accepted
by the offender, a court summons will be issued. The penalties are issued in
conjunction with penalty points. Penalty points can be removed from a record
three years after the day they were issued. The courts have the power to
disqualify drivers when they have 12 points on their licence; when the
disqualification is removed, the offender will be able to drive again, but the
points will remain for another three years. Traffic police will impose the
minimum penalty in each case except when serious offences are committed and the
driver will be required to attend a court hearing.
Points and fines for traffic offences
- Speeding by 30
percent: €1 for every km/h over the speed limit
- Speeding by 31% to
50 percent : minimum points loss 2, maximum points loss 4 and a fine
of fine of €2 for every km/h over the speed limit
- Speeding by 51% to
75 percent: minimum points loss 3, maximum points loss 6, and a fine of
fine of €5 for every km/h over the speed limit
- Speeds over 75%:
determined by the court
Drink Driving
- Offenders above the 35mg / 100ml up to 55mg will receive a €250 fine, and 3 penalty points
- Those with an alcohol concentration in their blood above 55mg but under 70mg will receive a €500 fine, and 5 penalty points
- Anyone found driving with a concentration above 70mg (three
times the legal limit) will automatically go to court
In all drink-driving cases, the vehicle will be impounded.
For the following offences, a fine will be
determined by the court in addition to point deduction:
- Causing death
through dangerous driving: min 5, max 10
- Hit and run: min 5,
max 10
- Thoughtless or
dangerous driving: min 3, max 6
- Careless driving:
min 2, max 6
- Driving under the
influence of alcohol: min 3, max 6
Other traffic offences:
- Ignoring traffic
lights: min 2, max 4 (and a fine)
- Motorcyclists and
cyclists without helmets: in built-up areas - min 1, max 4 (and an €200
fine)
- Not wearing a seat
belt: min 2, max 4 (and an €150 fine)
- Using a mobile
phone whilst driving: 2, max 4 (and an €150 fine)
- Not having both hands
on the wheel or driving holding any an object other than a phone €150 fine)
- Eating and drinking
while driving: fine €85
- Not carrying a reflective
warning triangle: fine €20
- Failure to comply
with a red traffic light: fine €300
- Parking in a place
reserved for the disabled: fine €300
- Parking on a double
yellow line or on the pavement: fine €100
New drivers with less than 2 years' experience
will get double penalty points for any offences committed.
Penalties for reckless driving are punished
with 6 months in prison and/or a fine of €1500. For
serious offences that inflict injuries on others are punished with up to two
years in prison and a fine of €6000.
Further information:
- A table outlining
the fixed penalties for violating the speed limit, driving under the
influence of alcohol and other offences is available from the Cyprus
Police
- The Cyprus Police
Traffic Department has more advice and information on driving in Cyprus
- Road traffic fines
can be paid online via the
JCCsmart payment system
- A Guide to driving in Cyprus PDF