The Highway Code is available in book shops and is fully illustrated.
It can be downloaded, in Greek only, 
here.
There is also a PowerPoint presentation, also in Greek, which can be downloaded here.
Some of it is similar to the UK Highway Code but with the updates to the UK version, there are now some major differences.
Many of the differences between the two Codes are outlined within this site.
The Highway Code can be used to assist a prosecution.
There is no fool-proof way of drinking and staying under the limit. It depends on:
High risk groups of drivers in Cyprus have a limit of 9 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath (20 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood).
High risk groups:
The limit for most drivers.
The limit is lower than England and Wales and the same as Scotland at 22 micrograms per 100 ml of breath (50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood).
Regulates the environmental management of vehicles reaching the end of its useful life (they are discarded).
At this stage, the Law applies to vehicles belonging to category M1 and N1 (ie, small cars and small commercial) and to motor vehicles.
Under the Act, each vehicle reaches the end of his life (shall then be referred to as “OTZ”) should not be discarded but should receive proper environmental treatment for the reuse of parts or recycling of constituent materials. The treatment must be made in establishments licensed for this purpose.
| Licensed Installation | Tel No. | Fax No. | Location | |
| 1 | Economidies Metal Recycling Ltd | 22466180 | 22432154 | Industrial Area Tseriou |
| 2 | N. & C. Kolokotronis Parts & Recycling Old Car | 22511214 & 22425506 | 22316494 | Industrial Area Tseriou |
| 3 | Epiphaniou Scrap Metals Ltd | 22437281 & 22793390 | 22433270 & 22431534 | Industrial Area Tseriou |
| 4 | Marios Charalambous Trade Old Metals Ltd | 99608340 | 25569127 | Vati, Limassol |
| 5 | Christos Pierides Scrap Metals Ltd | 25395540 & 99645792 | 25399627 | Vati, Limassol |
| 6 | AE Commodities Ltd | 22466180 | 22432154 | Industrial Area Tseriou |
| 7 | S. Kazepis Auto Recycling & Engineering Ltd | 25579000 | 25578578 | Vati, Limassol |
| 8 | Chrysanthos Antoniou & Sons Ltd | 22438152 | 22348702 | Kaimakli, Nicosia |
| 9 | E. B. T. Tryphon Ltd | 99624213 | Vati, Limassol |
Each vehicle delivered to a licensed facility will be issued with a Certificate of Destruction which is necessary for the permanent removal of the vehicle from a register of vehicles of the Department of Road Transport. Otherwise, the vehicle is deemed to be outstanding and the owner of the vehicle must still pay the registration fee for three years.
Normally, treatment once at the facility is free, but check with the licensed instillation.
The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department as the Competent Authority of the Act, arrange to meet both the obligations of licensed establishments, and owners.
Ο περί των Οχημάτων στο Τέλος του Κύκλου Ζωής τους (εναρμονιστικός) Νόμος του 2003(που στη συνέχεια θα αναφέρεται απλώς ως «ο Νόμος»), ρυθμίζει τα θέματα της περιβαλλοντικής διαχείρισης των οχημάτων που φτάνουν στο τέλος της ωφέλιμης ζωής τους (καθίστανται απόβλητα). Στο παρόν στάδιο, ο Νόμος εφαρμόζεται για οχήματα που εμπίπτουν στις κατηγορίες Μ1 και Ν1 (δηλ. μικρά επιβατικά και μικρά εμπορικά) καθώς και για τα τρίκυκλα οχήματα. Διαβάστε περισσότερα….
There is the option to buy a licence that is valid for 6 or 12 months.
Do Not Display Any Tax Disc
As of the 12th of March, 2010, the writing, attaching or displaying of any object on the windscreen of a vehicle is prohibited. This includes tax discs.
Road tax can be renewed from the end of the first week of January until a date around the middle of March each year without penalty. Historically the cutoff date has often been extended. Any changes are published locally and in the news section of this site.
From the March cutoff date the police will prosecute. After the grace period a fine of €10 + 10% of the rate of tax for the vehicle will be levied on renewal. If the tax is not renewed for a full year, further penalties apply.
Road tax can be paid in monthly instalments on application. Failure to keep up the payments will result in revocation of the licence. Road Tax arrears can also be paid in instalments.
Road tax can also be paid in instalments of three, six and nine months, as well as the full twelve months. This can be done through the methods outlined below.
A circulation licence cannot be renewed if the vehicle requires, but does not have, a current Biennial Vehicle Inspection Certificate (MOT). This information is logged on the DoRT database. If the MOT expires during the currency of the circulation licence, and is not renewed, the circulation licence becomes invalid and you are likely to be prosecuted for both offences.
You will be required to log on or register with JCCsmart.com with your email and a password. The site is in Greek and English.
You are able to pay for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.
Insurance certificate number may be required if cover commenced recently and has not yet been entered onto the database.
You do not need to have an account with the bank.
You will require:
You can apply at the local Department of Road Transport.
You will require:
If you are not going to use your car, going to the UK on an extended stay for example, you can obtain a rebate of some of the road tax unused during your absence or delay having to renew your road tax.
Or as soon as the vehicle is off the road, fill in a form TOM 12 and take it with your log book to the Department of Transport Offices or Citizen Service Centers.
You will have to nominate a place, off the road, where it will be kept during your absence so that it can be inspected.
I have been informed of a change in procedure in that;
You should now take your bank IBAN number with you as any refund is paid directly into your account. On your return re-tax the vehicle.
The notification cannot be backdated and is similar to the Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) in the UK.
You can download a printable form TOM 12 for completion and an English translation of form here.
Changes in road tax rates applicable to vehicles registered in the Republic after the law comes into force at the beginning of 2019.
The changes will see a rise in the road tax of passenger vehicles with high CO2 emissions and a rise in the road tax of newly registered passenger vehicles and vans according to their age.
Road tax for those two vehicle categories will take into consideration the combined cycle CO2 emissions – euros per gramme per kilometre.
Annual road tax cannot exceed €1,500.
On top of this, road tax charged on used vehicles imported after the law comes into force will also include additional charges based on their age.
Vehicles designed to carry goods with a gross weight of less than 3501, that is pick-up trucks and larger vans, the way the tax is calculated has changed. It is now calculated at .05 cents per cc up to 1650cc and .10 cents for 1651cc and above plus the appropriate special fee in each case. A cap of €299 has been reinstated. Those that have paid over that sum will be refunded the difference.
Only Cyprus residents who can prove they have lived in the country for six months are eligible to apply for a Cyprus learner driving licence and take a Cyprus Driving Test. This to comply with EU Directives.
EU provisional / learner / student licences are valid and can be used to drive and book a test providing you are old enough to drive in Cyprus.
Form T.O.M. 25B is available and an English translation with full instructions can be downloaded here.
The test fee is €20.
It is possible to pay an extra €34.17 to take the test out of hours. This is to pay the examiner to work overtime. The test will be in the afternoon, after normal working hours. However, 21 days must elapse between the issue of a provisional licence and the test.
If you fail the test an interval of 30 days must elapse before it can be retaken.
You may also book your test online.Download the website details and instructions here (The instructions and the site are currently in Greek Only)
You will be required to produce:
Consists of a short verbal theory test, in Greek or English, on traffic signs and the highway code, similar to that taken when applying for a provisional licence.
The practical test takes about 35 minutes and consists of a drive on the local roads and includes some maneuvering for example parallel parking.
The result is given at the end of the test.
If you take your test in an automatic car and pass, you will only be able to drive automatics on your full licence. A pass in a car with a manual gearbox will enable you to drive both types of vehicle.
The waiting list for a test is currently between three and four months.
The Department of Transport have put out to tender for the supply of computers required for adopting a UK style driving theory test for Cyprus.
To drive a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) or a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) for hire or reward or in the course of a trade or business requires a Cyprus Professional Licence.
A professional licence requires training to obtain a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) under EU Directives.
A CPC consists of different parts and continuing training. The ages for driving different categories of vehicle can also vary depending on the training received. Until a driver has a full CPC he will be restricted to driving within National boundaries.
In order to maintain their Driver CPC, all category C and D licence holders (including C, C1, C1E and D, D1, DE, D1E) will be required to undertake 35 hours Periodic Training every 5 years to be able to renew their licence. Click on the link for information on the mandatory training courses in Greek and English. The page will open in a new window.
It is a complicated subject and there are several exceptions and ‘Grandfather Rights’ etc. They are contained in the EU directives. The links for those are at the bottom of the page.
I have given a brief outline on this subject below.
Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) is the name now given for what used to be called Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV).
In Cyprus the licence category is ‘Φ’ until harmonization.
| Description | LGV | Minimum age | |
| Class 1 (Artic) | C+E | 18 years |  |
| Class 2 & 3 (Rigid) | C | 18 years |  |
| <7.5 Ton lorry | C1 | 18 years |  <=7500 |
| <7.5 Ton lorry with trailer | C1+E | 18 years |  <=12000kg |
Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) is now the name given to what used to be called Public Service Vehicles (PSV).
In Cyprus the licence catagory is ‘Λ1’ for small passenger vehicles used for tourists, for example Landrover Tours.
The Λ2 catagory is for other PCV’s until harmonization.
| Description | PCV | Minimum age | |
| Mini Bus | D1 | 21 years |  => (1+8) |
| Small Coach | D1 | 21 years | <=(1+16) |
| Coach | D | 21 years |  <=7500 |
| Small Coach with trailer | D1+E | 21 years |  <=12000kg |
| Coach with trailer | D+E | 21 years |  |
The Cyprus ‘T’ Catagory is used for Taxis.
| Description | Category | Minimum age | |
| Taxi The number of taxi licences issued are restricted | B | 21 years + Two years with a full driving licence |  <=(1+8) <=3500kg |
Any transaction that you require in relation to professional licences will have to be made in person at the Department of Transport (DoRT). Speak with the Officer who deals specifically with these applications. It will take more than one trip.
Providing:
a) The licence was issued by an EU member state,
b) It is valid,
c) You have reached the minimum ages.
d) The details of your Licence have been translated into Greek by the Ministry of Information.
If your Licence is in English a translation may not be required. Check with your local DoRT Office.
A theory examination covering:
Application has to be made in person at the Department of Transport (DoRT).
Various Documents and photographs are required to obtain a Cyprus professional licence, including a completed T.O.M. 211(12/02) application form only available in Greek.
The rules governing LGV and PCV licences in Cyprus as with all of the EU now comply with EU directives.
Directive 2003/59/EC gives information regarding professional licences.
This gives full details of the training requirements and skills needed for a certificate of professional competence (CPC).
Directive 2006/126/EEC gives driving licence categories and ages.
The information in 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.
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 or revoked or cancelled in another State.
A driver cannot hold more than one driving licence issued by an EU State.
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 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.
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.
Application would normally be made in person at the District Offices of the District Offices of the Department of Transport, CSC or the Post Office CSC at District Post Offices, with the documents shown below. I would recommend the Citizen Service Centers or the Post Office CSC .
A completed TOM 7 application form – only available in Greek.
The form is 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 relevent 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.
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 a period of 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.
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 of your paper licence or it is lost, destroyed or for other reason need to be replaced or renewed it will be issued under the new arrangements.
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 form can be downloaded here.
Some countries outside the EU have an agreement to exchange existing FULL domestic licences.
For 15 years for cars and motorcycles and 5 years for buses and trucks.
In all EU member states.
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 is also required.
EU Driving Licences – What you need to know. Download here.
Directive 2006/126/EEC in effect since 19 January 2013. Download here in English. in Ελληνικά.
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