Driving License in Cyprus

Cyprus Driving License

Only Cyprus residents who can prove they have lived in the country for six months are eligible to apply for a Cyprus Driving License. This is to comply with EU directives.

If you are resident in Cyprus and from the EU :

1) You can drive on your FULL domestic EU license until it expires.

Providing:

a) The license was issued by an EU member state,
b) it is valid
c) you have reached the minimum ages applicable in Cyprus.

OR

2) Exchange your license for a Cyprus driving license, which is exchanged on a like for like basis.If your license is in a language other than Greek or English you have to supply a translation. This must be done by the Ambassador of your Country or the Cyprus Press and Information Office.
You cannot change the address on your EU license to one outside the issuing country. It is accepted within the rules that the address will be from the issuing country and will not be current.

Cyprus may refuse to recognize the validity of a driving license issued in another State where the holder has a license that is restricted, suspended or revoked or cancelled in another State.

You cannot hold more than one driving license issued by an EU State.

When your Current EU or National license expires:

It has to be renewed in your country of current residence.
Noted that photo card licenses only have a validity of between 10-15 years depending on country of issue and should be renewed before they expire.  

If your current EU or National license is lost or stolen has to be replaced in your country of current residence.

To obtain a license,

The application has to be made in person at the Department of Transport (DoRT) with the documents shown below:

Documents required obtaining a Cyprus license:

A completed T.O.M. 7B application form only available in Greek.
The form is is available and an English translation with full instructions can be downloaded at this link:

http://cyprusdriving.net/documents/Cyprus_Department_Transport_Forms.php

  • Two passport style photographs 40×35
  • Residents Permit
  • Produce evidence that you have been resident in Cyprus for six months eg. Utility bill.
  • Passport with a copy of the page with the holders details on it
  • The appropriate fee
  • When exchanging your license, the original and two copies of your national lisence (Which you will have to surrender).

The cost of the Cyprus lisence is:
€ 40 (up to 65 years of age)
Over 65 free

In Cyprus the initial period of validity of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1, B+E has changed from the 70th birthday of the holder to 15 years from the date of issue.

After reaching the age of 55 years if the driving license holder falls into one of these categories, the lisence will be renewed, valid until age 70 years.

The initial period of validity of categories C, C+E, C1, C1+E, D, D+E, D1, D1+E has changed from the 70th birthday of the holder to 5 years from the date of issue.

The existing Cyprus full paper licenses are valid until the expiry date on them, except those that expire beyond 2033. They are only valid until the 19th January 2033 no matter what the expiry date is on the lisence.

If you wish to add another category of your paper license or it is lost, destroyed or for other reason need to be replaced or renewed it will be issued under the new arrangements.

The earliest a driving lisence can be renewed is within the last month before the expiry of the old one.

If you are over 70 years of age

You will require a medical and a signed form TOM 153B from your doctor stating that you are fit to drive.
The lisence is normally valid for three years.

Medical Form TOM 153B

Form TOM 153B is also required if the applicant has disabilities and when applying for lisences in categories C, C + E, D, D + E, subcategories C1, C1 + E, D1, D1 + E, and special classes G, H, I.

If you are resident in Cyprus and from outside the EU :

Some countries outside the EU have an agreement to exchange existing FULL domestic lisences.

 

Your full Cyprus lisence is valid:

In all EU member states and in many others when going there as a visitor. Check with the country you are visiting if it is outside the EU to see if you need an international driving permit.

Full Cyprus licenses should be the EU plastic photo card type. However they are currently using the old paper type.

 

Sources:

http://www.cyprusdriving.net/documents/Cyprus_Driving_Lisence.php