ALL NON-EU RESIDENTS MUST OBTAIN A CYPRIOT DRIVING LICENSE AFTER 6 MONTHS
A COMMITMENT TO ROAD SAFETY
Governed by national laws and European Union directives, the Republic of Cyprus advocates driving regulations that maintain the highest standards. The island’s commitment to road safety and compliance with international standards is highlighted directly by the recent, island-wide introduction of several traffic cameras. The legal driving age on Cypriot roads is 18 years old, and all drivers over the age of 70 will need to obtain a medical certificate confirming general fitness and satisfactory eyesight.
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 license. 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 the age of 65.
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 by Cyprus law and do not require replacement. They can still be exchanged for a Cypriot driving license, however, voluntarily or if they expire. If a license is lost or stolen, then a new Cypriot driving license can be obtained as long as proof of the previously held license is provided. Proof can 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. A resident who has an international driving license is not required to exchange their home country’s driving license for a Cypriot one.
- 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.
The permissible driving period depends on the country that issued the driver’s license. After the expiry of the permissible driving period, the driving license is considered invalid in Cyprus and will need to be exchanged for a Cypriot one. If he is a holder of an international driving license, he is allowed to drive vehicles provided that his license is valid. A resident who has an international driving license is not required to exchange their home country’s driving license for a Cypriot one.
Exchange of foreign driving licenses for Cypriot ones
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, 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 that find themselves in category 3, and they are advised to contact the embassy or consulate of the issuing country in Cyprus for detailed information on the correct procedure. After an application has been submitted, a temporary paper driving licence is issued until the Cypriot photo card driving licence is processed. This normally takes up to 2 weeks, but the process for expired licenses usually takes longer, as the Cyprus Department of Transport will seek verification from the country of the expired license’s origin.
