The procedure for use and exchange of foreign driving licenses in Cyprus
Foreigners arriving in Cyprus can drive vehicles using a valid international driving license or national driving license, provided that this license is valid for the class of the vehicle they wish to drive.
However, after a certain period of time, the driving license of most foreign countries must be replaced with a Cypriot driving license.
Use of a foreign driving license in Cyprus
In terms of use and exchange, foreign driving licenses can be divided into 3 categories:
- Driving licenses issued by an EU member state.
- Driving licenses issued by non-EU states that have acceded to the International Conventions on Road Safety and have interchange agreements.
- Driving licenses issued by the states that do not have an interchange agreement.
European driving license
European driving licenses are officially recognized by Cyprus law and do not require replacement (Law 94 (1)/2001).
In most EU countries, as in the UK, a driver's license is valid until the driver reaches the age of 70, but the driver's license must be renewed every 10-15 years. Therefore, in the event that an EU citizen's driving license expires, he can replace it with an equivalent Cypriot license without having to pass any further tests (vision, theory and practice).
However, drivers aged 70 and over must renew their driver's license every three (3) years.
If the driving license of an EU citizen residing in Cyprus is lost or stolen, he can obtain a new Cypriot license by presenting proof that he previously held a valid license obtained from the Department of Transport of the country of which he is a citizen.
Driving licenses issued by the countries with interchange agreements
A driver's license issued by one of the countries listed below (List 17) must be replaced with a Cypriot license after six (6) months from the date of entry of into Cyprus:
- Norway
- Island
- Lichtenstein
- Australia
- Switzerland
- Zimbabwe
- United States of America
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zeeland
- South Africa
- Russia
- Georgia
- Ukraine
- South Korea
- Serbia
- United Arab Emirates
Driving licenses issued in a country that does not have an interchange agreement
If a driver's license is issued by a non-EU country, and the country is not included in List 17, then the owner is allowed to drive the vehicle using the driver's license of his country for a limited period of time. If he is a holder of an international driving license, he is allowed to drive vehicles provided that his license is valid.
The allowed driving period depends on the country that issued the driver's license. After the expiry of the permissible driving period, the driving license is considered invalid in Cyprus.
Attention! A valid driver's license is one that has not expired and has not been cancelled by a court or the Vehicle Registrar.
Exchange of foreign driving licenses for Cypriot ones
Exchange of driving licenses issued by EU countries and the countries included in List 17
The exchange procedure for foreign licenses issued by the EU states and the countries that have mutual exchange agreements for a Cypriot driving license is quite simple.
If the driver has a valid driving license obtained in his country, he can simply exchange it for an equivalent Cypriot license.
To do this, he needs to visit either the Citizen Service Center (which is usually the easier option) or one of the regional offices of the Ministry of Transport.
Once there, you will need to provide the following set of documents:
- Completed TOM 7 Application Form.
- Two passport-size photographs 45X35.
- Original and copy of Cyprus residence permit.
- Proof that the applicant has legally resided on the island for at least six (6) months (i.e., a utility bill or rental contract).
- Passport/ID (use of ID is permissible if the applicant is an EU citizen) - original and copy.
- Driver's license and two photocopies of all pages of the license (in case the applicant is not an EU citizen or holder of a European driving license, both national and international driving licenses issued by the applicant's country must be provided).
If the driver's license is written in a language other than Greek or English, it must be translated by the Press and Information Office (PIO) or the embassy of the country that issued the license.
When exchanging a foreign driver's license for a Cypriot one, you will need to surrender your foreign driver's license.
If all the documents are provided, a fee of 40 Euro is paid by the drivers under the age of 65, whereas no fee is charged for the persons over 65.
Exchange of driving licenses issued by the states that do not have an exchange agreement
Holders of a driver's license issued by a non-EU country, and the country is not included in List 17 (i.e. without an exchange agreement), are advised to contact the Cyprus Road Transport Department directly and the embassy or consulate of the issuing country in Cyprus, for detailed information on the procedure of exchanging their driver's license for a Cypriot one.
A simple exchange of a driver's license is not possible for them. If such drivers wish to continue driving in Cyprus, they must obtain a Cypriot driving license by passing all the required exams (theoretical and practical tests for the knowledge of traffic rules and driving the respective vehicle).
Pitsas Insurances insures vehicles that are owned and/or authorized by the drivers who hold driving licenses issued by Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Iran.
For any questions related to insurance, please call 700 70 500 or e-mail us at [email protected]. If you would like to check the packages we offer and request a quote for motor insurance, you can do so by clicking here.
Pitsas Insurances Director
April 7, 2021
Limassol, Cyprus