ALL NON-EU RESIDENTS MUST OBTAIN A CYPRIOT DRIVING LICENSE AFTER 6 MONTHS
A COMMITMENT TO ROAD SAFETY
The Republic of Cyprus advocates driving regulations that maintain some of the highest standards throughout Europe. These driving regulations are all governed by European Union directives, as well as local national laws. With this in mind, the island’s commitment to road safety and compliance with international standards has been highlighted by the recent introduction of island-wide TRAFFIC CAMERAS.
TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Traffic authorities in Cyprus utilise the use of both static and mobile TRAFFIC CAMERAS. These record speeding and stop light contraventions. These then result in fines, and in some cases, penalty points are usually added to a driver’s driving license.
DRIVING AGES
As the law stands, the legal driving age for Cypriot roads is 18 years old. All drivers over the age of 70 are required to obtain a medical certificate confirming general fitness and satisfactory eyesight before they are allowed to drive on Cypriot roads.
LICENSE EXCHANGE
All non-European Union residents of Cyprus, regardless of nationality, are required to exchange their home country driving licence for a Cypriot driving licence. This usually occurs after a pre-determined time of residency. All licenses are exchanged free of charge for drivers over the age of 65, but a fee is applicable for all drivers under this age.
CRITERIA FOR EXCHANGE
In terms of use and exchange, all non-Cypriot driving licenses fall into three main categories
Category 1: Driving licenses issued by a European Union member state.
Driving licenses of European Union countries are fully recognised in Cyprus and do not require replacement. They can still be voluntarily exchanged for a Cypriot driving license once they expire or if they are lost or stolen. However, proof of the previously held license will need to be provided, and this can only be obtained from the Department of Transport of the issuing country.
Category 2: Driving licenses issued by non-European Union member states that have acceded to the International Conventions on Road Safety and have interchange agreements with Cyprus.
A driving license issued by one of the countries listed below must be replaced with a Cypriot license after six months from the date of entry into Cyprus. Holders of an international driving license, however, are exempt.
- Norway
- Lichtenstein
- Australia
- Switzerland
- Zimbabwe
- United States of America
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zeeland
- South Africa
- Russia
- Georgia
- Ukraine
- South Korea
- Serbia
- United Arab Emirates
Category 3: Driving licenses issued by non-European Union countries that do not have an interchange agreement.
Drivers from these countries are allowed to drive in Cyprus, provided that their home country’s driving license remains valid. The permissible driving period varies, and it is dependent on the country of origin. With this in mind, a driving license is considered invalid after the expiry of its permitted driving period in Cyprus. Drivers from these countries who want to continue to drive after the permissible period, are obliged to exchange their home country license for a Cypriot one. Holders of international driving licenses, however, are not required to exchange their home country’s driving license for a Cypriot one.
EXCHANGING FOREIGN DRIVING LICENSES
THE EXCHANGE OF DRIVING LICENSES ISSUED BY STATES THAT HAVE AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
THE EXCHANGE OF DRIVING LICENSES ISSUED BY STATES THAT HAVE AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
The process of exchange is relatively straightforward for drivers who find themselves in categories 1 and 2. This is only applicable as long as the license to be exchanged is still valid. An application can be made using the ‘Citizen Service Centre,’ also known as ‘Politis’, or at one of the regional offices of the Ministry of Transport.
The documents that are required are as follows
- A completed TOM 7 Application Form
- Two passport-size photographs
- A copy of the applicant’s Cyprus residence permit
- Proof of the last six months of residency
- A Passport or ID document
- The applicant’s home country driving license
If the driver’s home country license is written in a language other than Greek or English, the Press and Information Office or the embassy of the country that issued the license must translate it.
THE EXCHANGE OF DRIVING LICENSES ISSUED BY STATES THAT DO NOT HAVE AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
The process of exchange is not a straightforward process for drivers who find themselves in category 3. These drivers are advised to contact the embassy or consulate of the issuing country in Cyprus for more detailed information regarding the correct procedure. After an application has been submitted, a temporary paper driving licence is issued. This is valid until a Cypriot photo card driving licence is processed. The process of exchange normally takes up to 2 weeks. The process for expired licenses usually takes longer as verification from the country of the expired license’s origin will be required.
