Getting a Driving Licence in Cyprus

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Getting a Driving Licence in Cyprus

Anyone driving a motor vehicle (excluding mopeds) on the roads in Cyprus must be 17.5 years or older and have a valid driving licence. 

Some foreign-issued driving licences are valid in Cyprus (provided certain requirements are met) and some are valid for a limited period. Some may be exchanged for an equivalent Cypriot licences.

• For more, see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Exchanging or Using a Foreign Driving Licence in Cyprus

A full Cyprus licence is valid throughout the EU and for travel in most other countries. Cypriot licences are paper with a photograph and have the standard EU vehicle categories. Only people who have been resident in Cyprus for at least six months may apply for a Cyprus driving licence. 

Age Restrictions for Drivers in Cyprus

• Mopeds: 17 years of age
• Motorcycles with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/Kg and motor tricycles/quadricycles with an unladen weight not exceeding 550 Kg: 18 years of age
• Automatic and manual cars with no more than eight seats (plus trailers of up to 750 Kg): 18 years of age

Further details on towing restrictions and age restrictions for driving lorries and minibuses are available from CyprusDriving.net.

• For more information on minimum driving ages: Click here

Getting a Cyprus Driving  Licence

The process to get a Cypriot driving licence involves:

1. Passing a verbal/oral exam to obtain a provisional/learner's driving licence.
2. At least 31 days later, passing a theory test and a practical test.

Only people who have lived in Cyprus as residents for at least six months may apply for a Cypriot driving licence.

1. The Provisional Driving Licence

Before applying for a full Cypriot driving licence, a provisional licence must be obtained. The provisional licence allows an applicant to learn to drive. Application for a provisional licence must be made in person at the local district Department of Road Transport (DoRT) office.

• For a addresses of local district DoRT offices: Click here

An oral test is given on road signs and general driving concepts. It is recommended to arrive at the testing centre between 10:00 and 12:00 as this tends to be a less busy time and the test may be administered right away. It is possible to make an appointment with the examiner to return for testing at a later time.

Once the verbal test is successfully completed, the provisional licence can be issued: return to the office with the pass slip, required documentation and fee.

Documents required are:

• A completed TOM 7A application form available at the DoRT (in Greek) 
  • For an English translation: Click here (PDF)
• One recent passport-sized photograph
• Proof of identity (passport or residence permit) 
• Proof of at least six months of residence (such as utility bills) 
• The verbal test pass document 
• Certificate of successful screening 

The provisional driving licence is valid for one year. A Cypriot provisional/learner licence is only valid in Cyprus (all learner licences are valid in the country of issue only).

2. The Cyprus Driving Test

As of January 2009, there is no official Cyprus Highway Code. A Highway Code has been agreed upon by Parliament and should eventually be published. Once published, it will not in itself be an offence to contravene the Highway Code, but will be used to assist in prosecutions.

There is a minimum waiting period of 31 days between receiving a provisional licence and taking the practical test, however it can take up to four months to get an appointment to take the practical test. An additional fee can be paid to shorten the waiting time for a testing opportunity - in essence the additional fee is a payment to the examiner to work overtime. If this fee is paid, the test will be held during the afternoon, after normal working hours. 

If the driver fails the driving test, 30 days must elapse before the test can be retaken.

Items required to take a Cypriot driving test:

• Application form TOM 25A. Available at the Department of Road Transport (only available in Greek)
• The driver's provisional driving licence
• An insurance cover note which specifically covers the driver's use of the vehicle on the day of the test and for the purpose of taking the driving test
• Proof the car has passed the DoRT Roadworthiness Test (not always required)
  • For details, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Vehicle Roadworthiness Tests in Cyprus
• "L" (Learner) plates displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle

The tests

1. A short written test of approximately seven or eight questions on driving.
2. A practical test which takes about 35 minutes and consists of a drive on local roads and includes some manoeuvring, such as parallel parking.

The result is given at the end of the test.

If the test is taken and passed in an automatic car, the licence will only allow the holder to drive cars with an automatic transmission. Taking and passing in a car with a manual gearbox will allow the licence holder to drive both types of vehicle.

The motorcycle test

1. A short written test of about seven or eight questions on driving.
2. A practical motorcycle test, which involves the examiner following the pupil on a ride on local roads, communicating via helmet headsets. The ride takes about half an hour.

Obtaining the Licence

The licence is issue by the local DoRT office.

Renewing a Cypriot Driver's Licence

A Cypriot licence is valid until the holder is age 70. 

A health certificate is also required when applying for or renewing specialist and truck driver licences. 

Related Information

• Department of Road Transport (DoRT)
• Website CyprusDriving.net
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Driving in Cyprus
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Exchanging or Using a Foreign Driving Licence in Cyprus
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Vehicle Roadworthiness Tests in Cyprus
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Buying & Selling a Car in Cyprus
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Vehicle Insurance in Cyprus

Information supplied by the Cyprus Advanced Driving & Road Safety Network, a not for profit organisation dedicated to promoting road safety in Cyprus.
Web: www.cyprusdriving.net
Copyright © 2009 Cyprus Advanced Driving & Road Safety Network All Rights Reserved

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