a driver’s licence
Driver’s licence change
If the driver has a valid driving license obtained in their country, they can simply exchange it for an equivalent Cypriot license. To do this, they need to visit either the Citizen Service Center (usually the easier option) or one of the regional offices of the Ministry of Transport.
European driving licenses are officially recognized by Cyprus law and do not require replacement.
In most EU countries, as well as in the UK, a driver's license is valid until the driver reaches the age of 70, but the driver's license must be renewed every 10-15 years. Therefore, if an EU citizen's driving license expires, they can replace it with an equivalent Cypriot license without having to pass any further tests (vision, theory and practice). However, drivers aged 70 and over must renew their driver's license every three years.
Suppose the driving license of an EU citizen residing in Cyprus is lost or stolen. In that case, they can obtain a new Cypriot license by presenting proof that he previously held a valid license issued by the Department of Transport of the country of which they are a citizen.
To change your driver’s licence, you need to provide the following set of documents:
- Completed TOM 7 Application Form.
- Two passport-size photographs 45X35.
- Original Cyprus residence permit and its copy
- Proof that the applicant has legally resided on the island for at least six (6) months (i.e., a utility bill or rental contract).
- Passport/ID (use of ID is permissible if the applicant is an EU citizen) - original and copy.
- Driver's licence and two photocopies of all pages of the licence (in case the applicant is not an EU citizen or holder of a European driving licence, both national and international driving licences issued by the applicant's country must be provided).
If the driver's licence is written in a language other than Greek or English, it must be translated by the Press and Information Office (PIO) or the embassy of the country that issued the licence.
Driving licences issued by the countries with interchange agreements
A driver's license issued by one of the countries listed below must be replaced with a Cypriot license after six (6) months from the date of entry into Cyprus:
- Norway
- Island
- Lichtenstein
- Australia
- Switzerland
- Zimbabwe
- United States of America
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zeeland
- South Africa
- Russia
- Georgia
- Ukraine
- South Korea
- Serbia
- United Arab Emirates
Driving licences issued in a country that does not have an interchange agreement
Suppose a driver's licence is issued by a non-EU country, and the country is not included in the list above. In that case, the owner is allowed to drive the vehicle using the driver's licence of his country for a limited period of time.. If they are a holder of an international driving licence, they are allowed to drive vehicles, provided that their licence is valid. The allowed driving period depends on the country that issued the driver's licence. After the permissible driving period expires, the driving licence is considered invalid in Cyprus.
Obtaining a driver's licence
Anyone hoping to learn to drive will first need to get a provisional licence. If you want a licence enabling you to learn to drive, you must apply in person at the Department of Transport (DoRT) with the documents listed below.
. Only Cyprus residents who have lived in the country for six months or more are eligible to apply for a Cyprus driving licence or take a Cyprus driving test. An oral test is given on road signs and general driving concepts.
Required documents:
- Completed TOM 7 Application Form
- Two passport style photographs 40×35
- Residents Permit
- Produce evidence that you have been resident in Cyprus for six months, eg. utility bill. If you don’t have this or a similar proof, you will need to attend the office to find out what might be acceptable in your case.
- Passport and copy of the page containing the holder's information
- The appropriate fee
- The verbal theory test pass slip.
You have to pass eyesight and theory tests before a provisional driving licence will be issued. You may be able to take this test immediately or make an appointment with the examiner to return at a more suitable time. The test is verbal, in Greek or English, on traffic signs and the Highway Code. The fee is €10.
A learner / student driving licence costs €20 and is valid for one year. The earliest you can renew a driving licence is one month before the expiry of the old one.
Driving test and full driver's license
A driver must undergo seven (7) hours of compulsory training and be 18 years old before taking the driving test. The test consists of a short verbal theory test, in Greek or English, on traffic signs and the highway code, similar to that taken when applying for a provisional licence.
The practical test takes about 35 minutes, consists of a drive on the local roads and includes some manoeuvring, for example, parallel parking.
The result is given at the end of the test.
If you take your test in an automatic car and pass, your licence will only allow drivingautomatics.. Should you pass the exam in a car with a manual gearbox, you'll be able todrive both types of vehicles.
The candidate needs to fill Form T.O.M. 25B to apply for the driving test. The test fee is €20, with a possibility to pay an extra €34.17 to take the test out of hours to pay the examiner's overtime. The test will take place in the afternoon, after normal working hours. However, 21 days must elapse between the issue of a provisional licence and the test. If you fail the test, you can retake it after 30 days elapse.
Required documents:
- Provisional Driving Licence.
- Insurance certificate. This extra insurance specifically covers your use of the vehicle on the day of the test and for the purpose of taking the driving test.
- MOT (if required).
Once you have passed, you will need to pay €40 to issue your full licence. The licence will be valid for 15 years, and then you will have to renew it again. You can renew the full licence until the age of 65 Afterwards, a hospital health checkup is neccessary to renew the licence every year.