Exchanging or Using a Foreign Driving Licence in Cyprus

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Exchanging or Using a Foreign Driving Licence in Cyprus

Anyone driving a motor vehicle (excluding mopeds) on the roads in Cyprus must be 18 years or older and have a valid driving licence. Some foreign-issued driving licences are valid in Cyprus indefinitely (provided certain requirements are met) and some are valid for a limited period. Some may be exchanged for an equivalent Cypriot licences.

Drivers with licences that are not valid and may not be exchanged will need to take the tests to get a Cypriot driving licence. Only people who have been resident in Cyprus for at least six months may apply for a Cyprus driving licence. 

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Getting a Driving Licence in Cyprus

Driving Age Restrictions

Drivers who hold a valid licence from another country but who are not of age to drive in Cyprus, may not exchange their licence or drive in Cyprus. 

Minimum driving ages

• 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 regarding towing restrictions and age restrictions for driving lorries and minibuses are available from CyprusDriving.net.

• For more information: Click here

Driving Licences Issued by an EU Country

Residents of Cyprus who hold a valid driver's licence issued by an EU country may either:

1. Continue to drive on the full foreign licence until it expires, providing:
   • it is valid
   • the driver has reached the minimum driving age applicable in Cyprus
2. Exchange the licence for an equivalent Cyprus driving licence after six months of residence

Using an EU-issued licence

While it is completely legal to use the EU-issued licence until it expires, it is not possible to change the address on the EU licence to an address outside of the issuing country. It is a generally accepted "loophole" within the rules that the address on the licence will be from the issuing country and may possibly not be the drivers' actual residential address.

Driving Licences Issued by a non-EU Country

Holders of a valid licence from a non-EU country may exchange their licence after six months of residence if Cyprus has a reciprocal exchange agreement with the issuing country.

• For a list of countries with reciprocal exchange agreements: Click here

Non-reciprocal licence 

A driver's foreign-issued licence from a country that does not have a reciprocal exchange agreement becomes invalid after a specific period of residence in Cyprus. The allowed time period for driving using a foreign licence varies depending on the issuing country. For information, it is suggested to contact the issuing country's Embassy or Consulate in Cyprus. 

If the driver wishes to continue driving they will need to obtain a Cyprus driving licence. This can only be done by following the standard verbal, theory and practical test process. 

• For contact information for Consulates and Embassies, see the AngloFILE category Consulates & Embassies
• For information on how to obtain a Cypriot driving licence, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Getting a Driving Licence in Cyprus

How to Exchange a Foreign Licence for a Cyprus Licence

Licence exchanges are managed by the Department of Road Transport (DoRT). 

The following documents are required:

• A completed TOM 7A application form available at the DoRT (in Greek) 
  • For an English translation: Click here (PDF)
• Two recent passport photographs
• Residence permit (formerly the alien registration card), original and photocopy
• Proof of at least six months of residence (such as utility bills) 
• Passport (original and a photocopy of the personal details page)
• The original licence and two photocopies of all pages (the licence will have to be surrendered)
  • If the licence is in a language other than Greek or English it must translated by the Press and Information Office (PIO) or the issuing country's Cyprus Embassy 

Once all the relevant documents are assembled, they should be presented in person at the local district DoRT office for  review and approval of the conversion.

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

The cost of the Cyprus licence varies depending on the age of the driver. Age brackets are as follow: 

• up to 60 years of age
• 60 to 65 years of age
• for those over 65, the licence exchange is free

The Cyprus Driving Licence

A Cyprus licence is valid until age 70 years before it has to be renewed. 

A driver over 70 years of age will require a medical and a signed form from their doctor stating that they are fit to drive. The medical certificate form is available from the DoRT. 

• Or download: Click here (PDF) Page 1 of the form should printed first with page 2 printed on the back of it.

The licence is normally valid for three years.

A full Cyprus licence is valid throughout the EU and for travel in most other countries. Cyprus licences are paper with a photograph and have the standard EU vehicle categories. 

Other Vehicles

If a driver wishes to operate a vehicle in a category not currently sanctioned by their driving licence, a Cyprus provisional (learner) licence for that category must be obtained and then the applicant must pass the Cyprus driving test.

• For information on taking the tests see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Getting a Driving Licence in Cyprus

Related Information

• Department of Road Transport (DoRT)
• Website CyprusDriving.net
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Driving in Cyprus
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Getting a 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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