Motorcycle Driving Licence

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

The current driving licence requirements for motorcycles came into force in the 19th January 2013. Law 79(I)/2012.

The EU Commission is aware that there are a number of anomalies in the way the EU Directive has been transcribed into Cyprus law and is carrying out an in depth analysis of the Cyprus legislation. The Commission has stated that it will take the necessary steps to ensure that the Cypriot legislation fully and correctly transposes Directive 2006/126/EC.

The entry level for motorcycle licences is now category A1. A rider must pass the riding test for Class A1 motorcycles before progressing to larger motorcycles.

Catagory AM – Moped – 2-wheel vehicles or 3-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h.
Light quadricycle With an unladen mass of not more than 350kg, not including the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h.

Minimum Age 17

Catagory A1 – Small Motorcycles – A motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125, of a power not exceeding 11kW and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW per kg.

Minimum Age 18 – (17.5 learner licence)

Catagory A1 – A motor tricycle with a power not exceeding 15kW. and maximum cylinder of 125cc / power 11Kw

Minimum Age 18

Catagory A2 – A Medium motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW, with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.

Minimum Age 20(1) Providing held a full A1 licence for 2 years

Catagory A – A motorcycle of a power exceeding 35kW or with a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.2kW per kg, or A motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.

Minimum Age 24 or 22(2) Providing held a full A2 licence for 2 years

Catagory A – A motor tricycle with a power exceeding 15kW.

Minimum Age 24

(1) Progressive access to category A2 is permitted provided that the applicant has held a full licence for driving motorcycle category A1 for at least two years.

(2) Progressive access to category A is permitted provided that the applicant has held a full licence for driving motorcycle category A2 for at least two years and has completed seven (7) hours relevant training.

(3) Direct Access to Group A (example 1).

1. After age 18 but prior to age 24
2. pass a riding test on a class A1 motorcycle
3. obtain a full licence for that group.

1. At age 24
2. complete 7 hours compulsory training and obtain the certificate of attendance
3. apply for learner licence for class A
4. apply for the test. (21 days must elapse before the test can be taken).

(3) Direct Access to Group A (example 2).

1. At age 24
2. Apply for a learner licence for a class A1 motorcycle
3. apply for the test. (21 days must elapse before the test can be taken).
4. pass a riding test on a class A1 motorcycle
5. obtain a full licence for that group.
6. complete 7 hours compulsory training and obtain the certificate of attendance
7. apply for learner licence for class A
8. apply for the test. (21 days must elapse before the test can be taken).

Note: Learner licences for class A2 and A only permit the rider to ride off road on private property for training and for the purpose of riding on road for the test only.

Seven hours relevant motorcycle training is required to ride class A motorcycles

The seven (7) hours training takes place in private or specially adapted rooms and is documented and presented before the practical test. A special form is completed monitoring the seven units from a licenced category A instructor. The content of the education is established by Order of the Registrar of Motor Vehicle PI 492/2012 which was published on 30.11.2012 in The Cyprus Gazette. This training does not include on road training.

As far as we have been able to ascertain there very few instructors that carry out the training as required.
Some of you may be happy to pay your money and get the certificate without gaining the knowledge required.
You may change your mind when an untrained motorcyclist kills a member of your family!

To obtain a full motorcycle licence the applicant must pass a practical test of skills and behaviour.

Opinion:- The test is totally inadequate for current road and traffic conditions and cannot be described as a test of skills and behaviour.

The Department of Transport has to date failed to ensure that the training is carried out to the required standard and that the test is suitable for today’s traffic conditions. Until the matter is addressed the death toll amongst motorcyclists will continue to rise. I

Holders of learner driving licences issued before 19.1.2013

All holders of such licences may NOT ride motorcycles or tricycles in categories A and A2. They may only ride motorcycles or tricycles within Categories A1 and mopeds of category AM.

Moped driving on the highway is not permitted.

Motor scooters:

Are either motorcycles or mopeds depending on their engine size and specification.

UK Motorcycle Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) has no validity in Cyprus.

There is no similar training requirement to obtain a motorcycle licence in Cyprus.
A CBT pass does not entitle you to exchange your UK motorcycle licence for a full Cyprus one.

Driving Licences

More information on Driving Licences, how to apply and validity etc., can be read on the Cyprus Driving Licence page.

Directive 2006/126/EEC in effect since 19 January 2013. Download here in English. in Ελληνικά.

EU Directive 2012/36/EU that amends Directive 2006/126/EEC above. Download here in English and