Driving Licence Information for Cyprus

The information on this page refers to FULL non-vocational driving licences.

FULL driving licences issued in the Republic of Cyprus from Monday 29th June 2015 will be EU photo-card licences.

Student/learner drivers, those reaching 70 years and UK licence holders, should read this page and those pages specifically for those groups on this site.

If you are a resident of Cyprus and from the EU :

1) You can drive on your FULL domestic EU licence until it expires.
Providing:
a) the licence was issued by an EU member state,
b) it is valid,
c) you have reached the minimum ages applicable in Cyprus.

You cannot change the address on your EU licence 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.

2) You may exchange your EU licence for a Cyprus driving licence, which is exchanged on a like-for-like basis.

If your licence is in a language other than Greek or English you have to supply a certified translation. This must be done by the Embassy of your Country or the Cyprus Press and Information Office.

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

A driver cannot hold more than one driving licence issued by an EU State.

When your current EU or National licence expires:

It must be renewed in your country of current residence.
Photo card licences only have a validity of between 10 and 15 years depending on the country of issue and should be renewed before they expire.
The earliest a driving licence can be renewed in Cyprus is within the last month before the expiry of the old one.

If your current EU or National licence is lost or stolen:

It must be replaced by one issued in your country of current residence. The replacement will be based on proof, supplied by you, from the issuing country.

To obtain a Cyprus licence.

The application would normally be made in person at the District Offices of the Transport Department, CSC or the Post Office Citizens Centers (KE.PO.) at District Post Offices, with the documents shown below. I would recommend the Citizen Service Centers or the Post Office Citizens Centers (KE.PO.).

Documents required to obtain a Cyprus licence:

A completed TOM 7 application form – only available in Greek.
The form is available and an English translation of the main headings can be downloaded here.

A photograph is usually taken by staff at the District Offices of the Department of Transport, CSC or the Post Office CSC at District Post Offices.
OR
If the person is not applying in person then two recent photographs which are 45mm in height by 35mm in width and complies with passport photograph standards are required. The photographs have to be certified by the relevant community leader and at the same time, a written authorization must be submitted by the applicant to the authorized person to act as their representative.

Aliens Registration/Residents Permit and a copy. (MEU1/MEU2/MEU3)
Produce evidence that you have been a resident in Cyprus with six months of utility bills. EAC bill is strongly recommended, others may not be accepted. EAC customer service will issue you an acceptable statement.
If the applicant is a married woman and the utility bills are in her husband’s name, she will need to take her marriage certificate and a copy. If the applicant is cohabiting and the utility bills are in the name of another party, both may have to swear an affidavit to the effect that they are partners residing at the address. This may be in court or other authorized person. (To speed up court processes sworn statements have been outsourced to lawyers or Citizen Service Centers).
Passport and a copy of the page with the holders’ details on it
The appropriate fee

When exchanging your licence, the original and two copies of all pages of your national licence (which you will have to surrender).

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

Foreign Students have to produce a certificate of attendance at a higher education institution for at least six months.

Drivers will be issued with a temporary paper licence. The temporary license will entitle the holder to DRIVE ONLY IN THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS.

You will be notified by text when they are available for collection at the place nominated by you.

Drivers who have a FULL Cyprus paper licence issued on or after the 19th of January 2013.

The Road Transport Department will inform those drivers in writing when to go to the District Offices of the Department of Transport of the Department or CSC to obtain their replacement EU licences. The replacement will be FREE because their owners already paid the Department €40 for the plastic driving licence. This is to avoid overcrowding and discomfort to those drivers.

The period of validity is 15 years from the date of issue for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1, B+E.

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

The period of validity is 5 years from the date of issue for categories C, C+E, C1, C1+E, D, D+E, D1, D1+E.

The existing Cyprus full paper licences issued before 19th January 2013 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 licence. Drivers who wish to exchange their paper licence for a photo-card licence may do so at a cost of €40.

The Transport Department has issued the following guide regarding the new arrangements in Greek. It can be downloaded here.

If you wish to add a category to your paper licence or it is lost, destroyed or for other reasons needs to be replaced or renewed it will be issued under the new arrangements.

Doctors Certificate.

Drivers require a medical and a signed form TOM 153 from a doctor stating that the driver is fit to drive in the following circumstances:

The applicant is 70 years of age or over (see specific webpage)
has disabilities
when applying for licences in categories C, C + E, D, D + E, subcategories C1, C1 + E, D1, D1 + E,
special classes G, H, I.

The form can be downloaded here.

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

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

Your FULL Cyprus licence is valid:

For 15 years for cars and motorcycles and 5 years for buses and trucks.

In all EU member states.